“Classic Blue” is Pantone’s 2020 Color of the Year.
The American color company has chosen Classic Blue, or Pantone 19-4052 as its color of the year for 2020. This color, according to Deezer, is described by Pantone as “a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection”. The cobalt blue hue, Deezer adds, is also said to be associated with communication, introspection and clarity. Other benefits of the hue include aiding concentration and helping to re-centre thoughts, particularly in light of technology’s accelerating developments.
Announced 4 December, the company also added that as it is “Associated with the return of another day, this universal favourite is comfortably embraced.”
“A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication (…) “We are living in a time that requires trust and faith,” she added. “It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on.” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute.
“It’s an odd choice because in recent years, Pantone has taken pains to make its Color of the Year culturally relevant. That’s why 2019’s “Living Coral” was meant to represent “our natural surroundings and, at the same time . . . a lively presence within social media,” and 2018’s “Ultra Violet” was supposed to suggest “the intrigue of what lies ahead (…) the hue calls to mind Facebook’s logo and my Google Docs icon. A vivid blue reminder of data surveillance and the tireless demands of work in 2019 doesn’t exactly soothe the soul.” wrote Evan Nicole Brown for Fast Company.