Pantone names 2018 Color of the Year

Ultra Violet—a purple that’s best described as “complex” and “contemplative”—has been named Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2018. 

Approximately ten Pantone specialists looked for color signals in food, cars, cosmetics, clothes and housewares. In hotels, the color can be seen in the Hyatt Regency New Orleans (a city where purple features prominently in Mardi Gras celebrations) and the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. 

“The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design,” Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, said in a statement. “It’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.” 

Ultra Violet “suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now,” the company continued. “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.”

In interiors, the statement continued, Ultra Violet adds spice and brightness and can call attention to furniture or walls as needed. "In hospitality, we are seeing purples like Ultra Violet take center stage in interior spaces as large and small hotels harness color and design to entice travelers and stay relevant."

Several design insiders praised the selection. “This powerful and complex purple sparks creative juices and encourages positive energy,” Linda Crisolo, design expert and merchandising director at Art.com, said. “The intriguing and enigmatic Ultra Violet would be an inspiring addition to a home office, or a great conversation starter in a dining area.”

Renee Hytry Derrington, global design lead at Formica Group, agreed that 2018 would be the year of purple. “Deep, complex tones like Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year, Ultra Violet, have been gaining global momentum as a symbol of creativity, exploration and individuality. Formica Laminate’s Cassis design is our take on this visionary purple for surfaces.” 

“Deep purples break the barrier of primarily feminine appeal, and broaden its usability into a darker, sophisticated jewel-tone realm,” Stephanie Pierce, director of design & trends at MasterBrand Cabinets, said. “Pantone’s Ultra Violet, the color of the year, encompasses these traits as well as an energetic electricity to add more personality to the home.”  
 
“Paired with simplicity and streamlined design elements, a pop of purple tones in a patterned wallpaper or furnishings maintains an elegance that is a refined, new interpretation of modern design," Christine Marvin, director of corporate strategy and design, Marvin Windows and Doors, said. “Forget what you thought about purple before. The use of strong colors does not need to feel stifling — an abundance of natural light can be a balancing force, working in harmony with clean lines and simple design choices to create an invigorating and yet simultaneously balanced space.”