Pantone, the universally recognized authority in the field of color, has named its 2018 color of the year: ultra violet, or PANTONE 18-3838.
The company cites late great musicians Prince, David Bowie, and Jimmy Hendrix as the ones to bring the color to Western pop culture by using it in their album art and stage costumes. Prince’s sixth studio album, Purple Rain, should definitely come to mind.
Despite the color’s close ties to the music industry, Pantone claims its choice was actually inspired by the color’s connection to futurism, innovation, and meditation. Leatrice Eiseman, the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, says, “We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to PANTONE 29-3838 Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level. From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.”
See past Color of the Year winners below.
