How to choose the pantone of the year

As of my last update in September 2021, the Pantone Color of the Year was chosen annually by the Pantone Color Institute. They are a group of color experts who assess global trends, influences, and cultural shifts to identify a color that reflects the current mood and zeitgeist of society. The chosen color often influences product development, fashion trends, interior design, and various industries.

To choose the Pantone Color of the Year, the Pantone Color Institute typically follows a meticulous process involving the following steps:

1. Trend Analysis: Experts at Pantone keep a close eye on various industries, including fashion, art, design, entertainment, technology, and even politics to spot emerging color trends. They study popular culture, travel, social media, and other sources to understand shifts in consumer preferences.
2. Color Selection Committee: Pantone assembles a committee of color experts, designers, and representatives from various industries. This committee collaborates to discuss the potential colors for the upcoming year.
3. Color Deliberation: The committee reviews the information gathered during trend analysis and holds extensive discussions on the emotional and psychological associations of different colors. They debate the relevance and versatility of each color in different contexts.
4. Societal Relevance: The selected color is often one that reflects the current societal mood, aspirations, and concerns. It aims to resonate with people on a deeper level.
5. Announcing the Color: Once the Color of the Year is chosen, Pantone makes a public announcement, accompanied by an explanation of the reasoning behind the selection. This announcement garners significant media attention and influences creative industries worldwide.

If you are interested in choosing a color for a personal or business project, you can still draw inspiration from the Pantone Color of the Year or create your own color selection process by analyzing trends, considering emotional associations, and evaluating the context in which the color will be used. Remember that color choices can evoke different emotions and perceptions, so it’s essential to align the color with the message or mood you want to convey.

In the context of color, a complement refers to a color that is located opposite to another color on the color wheel. When two colors are complementary, they create a strong visual contrast when placed next to each other. When mixed together, complements can neutralize each other and produce shades of gray or brown, depending on the intensity of the colors.

The primary color wheel consists of three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. When you draw a triangle connecting these three primary colors, the colors at the corners are considered complementary pairs. For example:

1. Red and Green: Red is the complement of green, and green is the complement of red.
2. Blue and Orange: Blue is the complement of orange, and orange is the complement of blue.
3. Yellow and Purple: Yellow is the complement of purple, and purple is the complement of yellow.

Complementary colors are commonly used in various design fields, such as graphic design, interior design, and fashion, to create eye-catching combinations and visual harmony. When used together, complementary colors can make each other appear more vibrant and intense.

Understanding the concept of complementary colors can be beneficial in color schemes and visual compositions. It allows designers and artists to create balanced and visually appealing designs that take advantage of the dynamic interplay between colors.