My favourite time of year and no I am not talking about Christmas! In fact, for me, it’s the reveal of the Pantone of the year 2024 (yes, I know design geek moment here!).
Every year, the design and creative industries eagerly await the announcement of the Pantone Colour of the Year. This decision, made by the renowned Pantone Colour Institute, has a profound impact on various sectors and serves as a reflection of current global trends, societal influences, and the collective mood of the world.
This year the Pantone Colour Institute have chosen a soft nostalgic tone for the 2024 Pantone of the Year – Peach Fuzz.
“A velvety gentle peach whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and heart. A warm and cozy shade highlighting our desire for togetherness with others. Peach Fuzz is a heartfelt peach hue bringing a feeling of tenderness and communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration.”
In contrast to the vibrant 2023 Pantone Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta, peach fuzz exudes a sense of comfort and tranquillity. It symbolizes a period for healing and reflection on the challenges of the past few years. Given the current global landscape, marked by the cost-of-living crisis, the ongoing impact of COVID, and numerous other struggles, the soft and soothing essence of peach fuzz resonates as a colour that provides a sense of warmth and familiarity.
But why do I get so excited about the Pantone of the Year announcement? It’s simple. For a designer, colour is everything!
Colour is a powerful and evocative force that shapes our perceptions and influences our emotions. Colour theory is one of the first things you learn on a design course, which goes some way to demonstrating how important it is to get right. A simple change to the colour of some copy, a CTA or a design element in the background can make such an impact.
The Basics of Colour Theory:
Colour theory revolves around three primary components: the colour wheel, colour harmony, and colour contrasts.
The Colour Wheel:
- The colour wheel is a circular diagram, split into 12 sections, that arranges colours based on their chromatic relationship.
- Primary colours (red, blue, and yellow) form the basis for all other colours.
- Secondary colours (orange, green, and purple) result from mixing primary colours.
- Tertiary colours emerge from combining primary and secondary colours.
Colour Harmony:
- Colour harmony involves combining colours in a way that is visually appealing and balanced.
- Common colour harmonies include complementary (opposite colours on the wheel), analogous (adjacent colours), and triadic (three evenly spaced colours).
Colour Contrasts:
- Understanding colour contrasts helps create emphasis and visual interest.
- Key contrasts include hue contrast (differences in colour), value contrast (differences in lightness and darkness), and saturation contrast (differences in intensity).
Practical applications of colour theory
There are various practical applications of colour theory, for instance:
Art and Design:
- Artists use colour theory to evoke specific emotions, create depth, and establish visual hierarchy.
- Designers employ colour to enhance user experience, convey brand identity, and guide attention.
Fashion:
- Colour choices in fashion influence trends, express personal style, and convey cultural messages.
- Understanding colour psychology helps designers create clothing that resonates with the intended audience.
Marketing:
- Businesses leverage colour to create memorable logos, packaging, and advertising materials.
- Colour psychology plays a crucial role in influencing consumer perceptions and purchasing decisions.
What’s your take on the 2024 Pantone Colour of the Year? Will it be infiltrating your home, workspace, maybe even your wardrobe?! Let’s hear your thoughts!
