I am kind of a nerd about the Pantone Color of 
the Year. I have patiently each year for the past few years for the colors to be announced. Last year, I was let down with Greenery, especially after being so pleased with Rose Quartz + Serenity. This year, I actually found out early from an interior design friend. A few of us were having an intimate dinner/ drinks before a boozy 10 year high school reunion, and I’m not sure how Pantone was brought up but she proudly announced that her firm had a meeting and she was SO EXCITED for the new color.
Welcome, Ultra Violet.
I actually really love how Pantone seems to pick the colors based on what the world needs at the time.
(Note: after I typed the previous sentence, I found this quote: “The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.” – Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. So I was kind of dead on, huh?)
From their website:
A dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade, PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.
Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.
Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.
Historically, there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet. The color is often associated with mindfulness practices, which offer a higher ground to those seeking refuge from today’s over-stimulated world. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection.
I mean… does this not sound like the recipe for a better planet? If Ultra Violet represents all of the above, bring it on. Not that I’m a huge fan of purple, but the symbolism is astounding. I kind of intend to surround myself with this color for 2018.
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