#118 Magical & Mystical
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Pantone Ultra Violet is Color of the Year for 2018
Throughout my design career I’ve gone through T‑squares, proportion wheels, repro cameras, inking pens, light tables & courier services — all of which have been replaced by computers, programs & the internet. But one thing that has been constant, & still in the same swatchbook form as fifty years ago, is the invaluable Pantone color matching system. Back then it was the only way to guarantee color consistency from drawing board to press. Today it serves the same exact purpose, in the same exact way, with the addition of extensive tools & systems for electronic communication. Just like the consistency of color from one medium to the next, even Pantone’s logo & brand identity has remained consistent & contemporary.
The new millennium, 2000, introduced the Pantone Color of the Year. Since then it has become a highly anticipated announcement. See past Pantone Colors of the Year here. Shop Pantone books, swatches, & gift items here.
A seemingly natural progression from Pantone Color of the Year 2017, Greenery 15 – 0343, is Pantone Color of the Year 2018: Ultra Violet 18 – 3838. Greenery was earthy, whereas Ultra Violet is ethereal.
According to the spectacular webinar presented by Laurie Pressman, vice president of Pantone Color Institute, announcing the Pantone Color of the Year 2018:
“Complex & contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, & the discoveries beyond where we are now…
“Provocative & thoughtful, Ultra Violet communicates the originality, ingenuity, & visionary thinking that creates a meaningful direction to our future…
“From exploring new technologies & the greater galaxy, to artistic expression & spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way for what is yet to come.”
According to Ms. Pressman, the Pantone Color of the Year is chosen not on a whim or by anyone’s “favorite color.” It is based on popular trends among several industries — fashion, décor, automotive, packaging, advertising & art — and determined through intensive analyzation & foresight.
Cosmos to Cauliflower
While Pantone Ultra Violet conjures spirits, intrigue & the mysteries of the universe, it also represents health & wellness. According to experts such as Lakshmi Vandrapu, protect your brain’s health with a diverse range of produce from this color family:
Beets
Blackberries
Black currants
Blueberries
Eggplant
Grapes
Plums
Purple sweet potatoes
I have seen other fruits & vegetables in shades of purple, such as cauliflower, asparagus & cabbage. Cookies, ice cream & vodka too, but they’re not quite as healthy.
Purple Peanut Butter
I’ve never cared much for grape jelly nor peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. But what really grossed me out was when they mixed the two together in a single jar. One brand at least made it look somewhat appealing — layers of purple & brown, like a parfait. But one cheapo generic brand mixed it all together & the result was the most disgusting color for human consumption I’ve ever seen.
Maybe that’s why purple has never been my favorite color (same goes for brown). But that doesn’t mean I don’t design with it. When combined with other colors — as a backdrop, the main subject, or as an accent — it has brought to life conceptual renderings, followed by final production, that no other color could have achieved. Purples & violets, which are made up of blue & red (or cyan & magenta) can be warm, cool, or neutral. Pantone Ultra Violet appears neutral.
Purple Trivia
Here are a few facts about purple. Discover lots more at sensationalcolor.com
- Purple was the color of the first dye made by man
- Purple is the color of the highest denomination poker chip, $5,000
- Purple is the favorite color of adolescent girls
Pantone Ultra Violet 18 – 3838
Interestingly, ultra violet light (not the color name) cannot be seen by the human eye. Also known as “black light,” it excites the phosphors in fluorescent paints & materials, causing them to glow in total darkness. Many fish & flowers have this property. But the light source itself is invisible.
Visible or not, Ultra Violet is a super cool name for the Pantone Color of the Year 2018.
You’ll see many fascinating applications, as well as inspiring color palettes, for Pantone Ultra Violet 18 – 3838 at the Pantone website.
Specs
PantoneUltra Violet is presented as the ampersand & text in AmperArt #118 Magical & Mystical. Here are the specs for the Pantone 2017 Color of the Year:
Pantone Ultra Violet 18 – 3838
Graphics (closest match): Pantone 2096 C / RGB 101 78 163 / CMYK 76 75 0 0 / HEX 654EA3
The Fashion, Home & Interiors Cotton & Plastic formulas are slightly different. See here.
Visit Pantone.com for magical & mystical color insights.
Check out the new “chaz sez” blog at DesimoneDesign.com, my commercial graphic design website. It’s mostly about design, typography, printing, publishing & marketing, but on occasion I’ll divert to a sideways topic that just can’t escape my ranting & raving.
Production notes for #118 Magical & Mystical:
Original size: 20x30 inches
Program: Adobe Photoshop
Fonts: Baker Signet, Benguait Charisma
Ampersand: Benguait Charisma
Credits:
Produce: Lakschmi Vandrapu
Spec chart: Pantone
Purple facts: Kate Smith, Sensational Color
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To download a full-size high-resolution 11x17-inch poster, click on the image.
For professional graphic design, please visit Desimone Design.