Pantone Names 2019 Color of the Year

Pantone Color Institute names its 2019 Color of the Year, 16-1546 Living Coral. The coral hue features gold undertones that the institute says “energizes and enlivens with a softer edge.”

Seeking inspiration for this year’s color, the organization says Living Coral is in reaction to the prominence of digital technology and social media in daily life and the desire for authentic experiences. The institute also states that the shade symbolizes an “innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits” and the “desire for playful expression.”

Image courtesy Hanes

“Color is an equalizing lens through which we experience our natural and digital realities, and this is particularly true for Living Coral,” states Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute. “With consumers craving human interaction and social connection, the humanizing and heartening qualities displayed by the convivial (color) hit a responsive chord.”

The lighter hue stands in relatively stark contrast to Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year, Ultra Violet. The purplish color encompassed various pop culture inspirations including nods to musicians like David Bowie, Prince, and Jimi Hendrix.

For more information, visit www.pantone.com.