Pantone — the company known throughout the world as an authority on all things color-related across several industries — recently announced the color of the year for the year 2021. And this has been revealed to be not one but two independent colors: PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray and PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating, which is a bright and cheerful yellow.

These two colors were given this special honor for 2021 because they best express the mood that the Pantone Color Institute, the business unit within Pantone, wants to convey this year: strength and positivity. And with the practical and rock-solid element (represented in the Ultimate Gray) meshing so nicely with the warming and optimistic ambiance (represented in the Illuminating), they also emanate a message of happiness supported by fortitude and give us hope. We need to feel that everything is going to get brighter and these colors perfectly encapsulate this.

In these uncertain times, people are looking to fill themselves with energy, clarity, and hope, these encouraging shades deliver an emboldening dose of precisely this much-needed spiritedness. The PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow that has a hefty dose of sparkle and a warming infusion of solar power while the PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray symbolizes solid and dependable elements that give a comforting feeling of endurance. The Ultimate Gray also calls to mind elements in nature that have withstood the test of time, vibrating undertones of resilience.

This combination of color has ties to insight, innovation, and intuition as well, along with respect for wisdom, experience, and intelligence. It inspires a process of rebirth and moves us toward novel ways of thinking and new concepts.

Why is this important?

For over two decades, Pantone’s Color of the Year distinction has wielded influence over product development and buying decisions across several industries — these include fashion, product packaging, and graphic design. The company arrives at their selection after going the world over looking for color influences from sources such as the entertainment industry, popular travel destinations, and all areas of design.

So have fun with the Pantone Color of the Year this year and explore the different ways you can use it in your Facebook and Instagram filters and all other social media channels!