1
Pantone have unveiled their official color of 2018, Ultra Violet (Pantone 18-3838 to be precise.)
Pantone have been nominating a color of the year since 2000, and it’s often seen as a barometer for the prevailing cultural mood—although with designers jumping on the annual selection as an easy option for an on-trend palette, it has frequently been a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Violet is not, as commonly perceived, a shade of purple but rather a hue in its own right. Technically ultra violet is similar to infrared in that it can’t normally be detected by the human eye. So Pantone’s Ultra Violet is named more for marketing purposes than scientific accuracy.
Whether Pantone’s Ultra Violet will be representative of 2018 remains to be seen. 2016’s dual-choice of Rose Quartz & Serenity should probably have been replaced with funereal black; 2017’s Greenery (which symbolized a fresh reconnection with nature) was laughingly misjudged, and should probably have been replaced by an angry red. If we take Pantone’s color of the year as an aspiration, rather than a prediction, then it makes a lot more sense.
Pantone’s color institute selected Ultra Violet for 2018, in part to reflect the complexity of the world we’re living in:
[Ultra Violet] is a very provocative shade, but it’s also a thoughtful color…this is the kind of color attached, historically, to originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking…It’s intriguing, fascinating, and magical
—Lee Eisenman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute
Perhaps the most telling thing about Pantone’s color for 2018 is that it’s a color often confused with another, and is named after a point on the spectrum we can’t actually see.
FRAKTA Reimagined: A Playful Tribute to IKEA’s Most Versatile Design
If you’ve ever owned an IKEA FRAKTA bag (yes, that iconic blue wonder that seems capable of holding your entire life), then you’ll want to check out IKEA’s latest design-inspired…
Spotify’s Cryptic Tease for 2024 Wrapped Has Everyone Talking
It’s that time of year again—Spotify Wrapped season is just around the corner, and this year, the streaming giant has found a new way to keep us guessing. Instead of…
Figma Releases the Pattern Library
Figma, the industry-leading design platform, has introduced a powerful new resource: the Figma Pattern Library. This library offers a meticulously curated collection of reusable design patterns aimed at streamlining workflows,…
Jaguar’s New Controversial Logo Unveiled
Early this week, Jaguar unveiled a comprehensive rebranding initiative as part of its strategic shift toward an all-electric future. This transformation includes a new logo, updated branding elements, and a…
eBay Unveils the Evo Brand System Playbook
eBay has introduced the Evo Brand System Playbook, a robust, 280-page guide designed to unify and elevate its global brand identity while fostering flexibility across its markets. The playbook, which…
The 10 Best Logos of 2023 – Ranked
We’ve witnessed a plethora of exciting logo designs in 2023. Some have been absolutely awful (we’ll miss you, Twitter). Others have been incredible and a much-needed breath of fresh air…