Fantasies and Realities

In order to create the “magic” in the marketplace that ultimately leads to capturing the consumer’s eye, colors for 2013 will need to coax and cajole, soothe or astonish, renew and replenish. At the same time, there will be the consumer’s expectation of practicality ‒ what colors will have staying power and can be relied upon as a steadying influence in unsteady times? Color palettes that play to their practical side, while also satisfying aspirations for something novel, will remain key to enticing the would-be consumer.

Translated into graphics, it is important for designers to be as inventive as possible in their choice of color combinations. On the one hand, there is the “whackadoodle” influence of bold colors, used together in intriguing and even odd ways, while on the other there is practicality to consider, which is often best expressed with neutral tones. This concept has been the direction for the past few years, since neutrals can often do a “disappearing act,” it is best to combine them with more vivid tones and/or a strong contrast.

With this in mind, Pantone chose Tangerine Tango as the color of the year for 2012, a spirited reddish orange that is the perfect companion to almost any neutral. Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home and industrial design, product packaging and graphic design around the world. Over time, orange has grown in popularity and acceptance among designers and consumers alike, encouraging those who were once gun-shy about using bold colors to give them a chance by pairing them with versatile neutrals to exude a more subtle confidence. Likewise, consumers and designers are experimenting with colors that have a bit more heat to them, like Pink Flambé, and combining them with more cooling hues, like Rhapsody and Ultramarine Green.

- Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute®