Here’s a toast to Pantone Color Institute’s much anticipated 2015 Color of the Year. Get out that bottle of wine and pour yourself a glass of Marsala, the earthy, robust, wine-red color of 2015! With eagerness for its arrival, it’s time to welcome this new color to any element of design that is embraced.
“Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth.”
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute
Pantone’s Color of the Year is powerful and influential. Its color experts scour the globe looking for colors that best represent the atmosphere of the world’s newest influences. Each successive year, the color that will be named is highly anticipated, and the buzz about what it may be is always at the forefront of fashion and beauty, home furnishings, product design, and graphic and Web design. Each year brings a fresh new perspective in expectation of the announcement of the color of the year. With the advent of 2014, for instance, Pantone declared the charming color of Radiant Orchid as its color of the year. Emanating a harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, this color induces joy, love and health, and what company wouldn’t want to welcome such virtues in their business? From weddings to merchandise to fashion and beauty and more, this color could be seen in many designs.
Pantone’s Colors of the Year from 2000 to present:
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What does this all mean for the world of graphic design, Web design and print media?
Marsala, a naturally rich and wine-inspired hue, unveils a unique approach in either a grounded color or a strong savory accent color. It won’t disappoint in design development as it embraces sophistication, and will determine the ways in which industries maneuver, culture is manipulated, and our buying trends are influenced. Incorporating Marsala’s rich and robust flavor into print and digital designs will be valuable. However, with several ideas on how to integrate the newest color of the year in marketing and advertising, there are still a few options to consider when working with the new hue in elements of design.
As branding is paramount to a new or existing business, colors outside the existing brand colors should not invade the scope of the brand and may need corporate approval. However, this does not mean that the company cannot apply the newest color trends by using the new shade through other measures such as 2015 advertising campaigns, collateral in upcoming events, or perhaps special edition products. In any situation, careful consideration in how it ought to be used is important, and asking how it may fit in with the brand is key to the creative approach.
Another aspect worth keeping in mind for color design is in regard to trends. Trends sell over the short term, but the impact of long-term branding logos and color already in existence can override trends that often exit almost as fast as they appear. With the change of colors each year, considering color trends and the cost of making changes every year is worth a bit of thought. However, if trendy colors are used in small touches such as in a headline, announcement or sideline touches in a brochure, it can be easier to alter over time without the need for a complete overhaul.
An additional way to incorporate simplicity is by using a flat color scheme where many different coordinating colors are used in the design. Integrating accent colors that complement the newest cultural colors in this expression is easier to change as needed. In whatever fashion the new color of the year is used, it certainly will express to a knowing public a company’s ability to stay up with the times.
Color is the catalyst that can trigger the interest, define the focus and create the mood for any business. Whether used in fashion, home decorating and merchandising, or for Web and graphic design, advertising and print or digital media, Marsala’s seductive shade is here to stay for the year 2015. It will have its impact, and for any designer, where and how to include it in design creation for a company simply means the sky’s the limit.
Check out these websites for more information on Pantone’s 2015 Color of the Year and the public’s reactions to it:
Introducing Marsala – Pantone 2015 Color of the Year
Pantone Color of the Year 2015 Stirs Reactions
