Repeat. No Repeat.

2012 Color of the Year

Right on schedule, Pantone, the design industry's authority on color, has announced the 2012 Color of the Year. Last year it was Honeysuckle, in 2010 it was Turquoise, and in 2009 it was Mimosa. So what is the color of the year for 2012? (drum roll please.....)

Tangerine Tango 17-1463

Tangerine Tango is a warm and vibrant red-orange, instantly energzing and optimistic. Intended to inspire us to look happily towards the future while keeping us going today, the orange tones of this color can be found everywhere - whether it be in nature, interiors, fashion, consumer products, and graphics. Designers have been using orange hues for years now in interiors, and it has become more commonplace to see such vibrant colors in the workplace and in residences. We also see it prevalent in product design. So it's no surprise that Tangerine Tango would surface to take it's position as the top color of the year. And keep your eye on the runway, for Tangerine Tango will be seen in clothing this year from the best fashion designers. We can also expect a partnership with Sephora, to bring the color of the year to make-up products for consumers in early 2012. So besides having Tangerine Tango on your walls or pillows on your sofa, you can have nail polish to match, all while drinking out of your Pantone mug while wearing your tangerine Tommy Hilfiger leggings. Thanks to Pantone, color has hit the big time and is stealing the show.

Pantone chip mug by W2, featuring the color of the year (limited edition!)

Pantone Color of the Year

Those color forecasters are at it again! This time, it's universal color ambassador Pantone divulging their best guess as to what color will move us all in 2010.  The winner?  Turquoise 15-5519.  Why Turquoise?  And how do they choose it?  The color Turquoise was selected for its ability to transcend mood and gender.  Appealing to both men and women, Pantone believes that turquoise is a soothing and relaxing color for all.  The combination of blue and green makes for a restorative sense of well being while evoking exotic locales set in the beauty of nature (think water and sky).  I don't know about you, but turquoise is looking good right about now in these cold winter months and still-bleak economy!  This color was selected by Pantone representing both fashion and interior design, which is no surprise since the two disciplines often cross over and influence each other.  It also works well with other colors, whether they be neutrals or other brights. Also, Turquoise is one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone’s line of premium, eco-friendly paint. Pantone paints combine the accuracy of the Pantone color system with high-performance Dutch paints. So if Pantone is correct, as most color forecasters are, we shall be seeing Turquoise everywhere in 2010.  So how does Pantone know what colors are hot these days?  As one of the world's leading authorities on color, the Pantone Color Institute (a division of Pantone that researches and consults on color) scours the world for trends in color as it relates to consumer products, graphic design, fashion, and anything else they see in their travels.