For Its 2022 Color of the Year, Pantone Has Invented a New Shade: a 'Happy' Periwinkle Blue (2024)

For Its 2022 Color of the Year, Pantone Has Invented a New Shade: a 'Happy' Periwinkle Blue (1)

Art World

The new Very Peri is the "happiest and warmest of all the blue hues."

Sarah Cascone,

For Its 2022 Color of the Year, Pantone Has Invented a New Shade: a 'Happy' Periwinkle Blue (2)

For its 2022 color of the year, global color authority Pantone has for the first time created a brand new shade: Pantone 17-3938Very Peri, a vibrant periwinkle blue with violet red undertones.

“It was really important for us to come up with a new color, because we have a very new vision of the world now,” PantoneColor Institute executive director Leatrice Eiseman toldCNN.

After the lockdowns of 2020, Pantone chose two colors, Ultimate Gray and the sunny yellow Illuminating, to represent quiet reassurance and resilience in the face of difficult circ*mstances, as well as optimism for the future. Next year’s Very Peri symbolizes the changes the world is experiencing as we look to move beyond the isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic.

The color is the “happiest and warmest of all the blue hues,” blending the “faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red” to deliver an “empowering mix of newness” with a “carefree confidence and a daring curiosity that animates our creative spirit,” said the company in its announcement.

For Its 2022 Color of the Year, Pantone Has Invented a New Shade: a 'Happy' Periwinkle Blue (3)

Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year is Very Peri, a new shade of blue invented for the occasion. Photo courtesy of the Pantone Color Institute.

“It’s unusual to refer to blue as ‘happy,’ but when you add that red element to it, that’s exactly what happened,” Eiseman added, speaking toTime. “We felt it was so important to put together a color that encapsulated the feeling of newness.”

Choosing a shade of blue also recalls the blue glow of digital devices like our computers and smartphones at a time when human existence is increasingly shifting to the digital realm, with the rise of technological advances such as NFTs, virtual reality, and the emerging Metaverse.

And, for the third year running, Pantone will partner with Artechouse in New York City for an immersive installation of digital projections inspired by the color of the year, set to open in early 2022.

Pantone’s primary product is the Pantone Matching System, a standardized color reproduction system with over 2,000 unique shades, each identified by a number. It serves as a guide that allows brands, manufacturers, and graphic designers to ensure that their chosen colors are reproduced consistently across different products and mediums, both physically and digitally.

For Its 2022 Color of the Year, Pantone Has Invented a New Shade: a 'Happy' Periwinkle Blue (4)

Pantone’s 2022 Color of the Year is Very Peri, a new shade of blue invented for the occasion. Photo courtesy of the Pantone Color Institute.

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As a color enthusiast and expert in the field, I can confidently provide insights into the article discussing Pantone's 2022 Color of the Year, Very Peri. My depth of knowledge in color theory and design allows me to analyze the significance of Very Peri and its cultural implications.

Pantone, a global color authority, traditionally selects a Color of the Year to reflect the current cultural and social climate. In the aftermath of the lockdowns in 2020, Pantone chose two colors, Ultimate Gray and Illuminating yellow, symbolizing resilience and optimism. For 2022, Pantone introduced a brand new shade, Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri, a vibrant periwinkle blue with violet red undertones.

Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, emphasized the importance of creating a new color to align with the evolving global vision. Very Peri is described as the "happiest and warmest of all the blue hues," blending the constancy of blue with the energy of red. This combination aims to convey a sense of newness, carefree confidence, and daring curiosity that reflects the changing world beyond the pandemic.

The choice of a shade of blue, according to Eiseman, is unusual but becomes "happy" when the red element is added. This innovation was driven by the desire to encapsulate the feeling of newness and positivity. The article highlights the association of this color with the digital realm, referencing the blue glow of digital devices in our increasingly technology-driven existence. This connection is particularly relevant with the rise of NFTs, virtual reality, and the emerging Metaverse.

Furthermore, Pantone will collaborate with Artechouse in New York City for an immersive installation of digital projections inspired by Very Peri. This partnership underscores the intersection of color trends and technology in the contemporary art world.

To understand Pantone's significance, it's essential to note that their primary product is the Pantone Matching System, a standardized color reproduction system with over 2,000 unique shades. This system allows for consistent color reproduction across different products and mediums, both physically and digitally, providing a guide for brands, manufacturers, and graphic designers.

In conclusion, Pantone's Color of the Year is not merely a trend but a reflection of societal shifts and influences, capturing the essence of the times we live in. Very Peri's introduction represents a forward-looking perspective and a departure from the challenges of the past, embracing a sense of optimism and creativity.

For Its 2022 Color of the Year, Pantone Has Invented a New Shade: a 'Happy' Periwinkle Blue (2024)
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