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New York, NY—For only the second time in its history, The Pantone Color Institute has named two colors for its annual Color Of The Year. For 2021, the Colors of the Year are PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, chosen to convey a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting for 2021. The last time two colors were chosen was in 2015, when a pastel pink called Rose Quartz and a pastel blue called Serenity were chosen as the Colors of the Year for 2016.

For over 20 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product packaging and graphic design. To arrive at the selection each year, experts at Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films in production, traveling art collections and new artists, fashion, all areas of design, popular travel destinations, as well as new lifestyles, playstyles, and socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.

Interestingly, yellow and gray shades very similar to the 2021 Colors Of The Year have been popular in home design for some time—perhaps hinting at something we weren’t yet consciously aware of. The 2021 Colors of the Year highlight how different elements come together to support one another and best express the 2021 mood. 

Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, the union of PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is one of strength and positivity, says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. It is a story of color that encapsulates deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the promise of something sunny and friendly. 2020 has been so challenging, but optimism and hope are on the rise as the year draws to its close and a vaccine for COVID-19 is beginning to be put into distribution. "A message of happiness supported by fortitude, the combination is aspirational and gives us hope. We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter; that is essential to the human spirit," says Eiseman.

As people look for ways to fortify themselves with energy, clarity, and hope to overcome the continuing uncertainty, spirited and emboldening shades satisfy our quest for vitality. PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power. PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray is emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation. The colors of pebbles on the beach and natural elements whose weathered appearance highlights an ability to stand the test of time, Ultimate Gray quietly assures, encouraging feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.

The color pairing highlights people’s innate need to be seen, to be visible, to be recognized, to have our voices heard. The combination of colors evoking insight, innovation, intuition, and respect for wisdom, experience, and intelligence inspires regeneration.