Pantone unveils 2021 Color of the Year: ‘Ultimate Grey’ and ‘Illuminating’ yellow

The Pantone Color Institute has chosen “Ultimate Gray” and “Illuminating” as the colors to reflect the year ahead.

According to their statement on Wednesday, the 2021 Color of the Year is “a marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.”

The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant Illuminating (yellow) expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude," said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

"Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and home. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit," she added.

Pantone defines "Illuminating" as "a bright and cheerful yellow sparkling with vivacity, a warming yellow shade imbued with solar power.”

“Ultimate Gray,” on the other hand, is said to be “emblematic of solid and dependable elements which are everlasting and provide a firm foundation.”

“These two independent colors that come together to create an aspirational color pairing, conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day,” Pantone said.

The color ID for “PANTONE Ultimate Gray” is 17-5104 while “PANTONE Illuminating” is 13-0647.

 

 

 

 

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Pantone’s Color of the Year was Classic Blue in 2020 and Living Coral in 2019.

To learn more on how the color institute selects its Color of the Year, visit their website here.

— Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News