Classic Blue Swatch PANTONE-19-4052

Pantone has just released the new Pantone Colour of the Year 2020 and its not what you might expect!

Classic Blue PANTONE 19-4052

This classic blue colour is described by Pantone as “a timeless and enduring blue hue” reminiscent of the “sky at dusk.” According to the renowned colour company, it “highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation” as we embrace this new era of 2020.

I used to wish dusk would last longer but its quickness seems to add to making it special

Regina McBride – The Nature of Water and Air

Embracing The New Decade

Pantone it seems has gone very traditional and very safe and it really is a sure sign of the times as we embrace a new decade. 

2020 is not a Jetsons future nor even a slight version of that utopia. It’s a very real disconnect from times gone past. We have climate change upon us and very real political instability taking place in our global culture. There are real challenges regarding our use of social media and the varying degrees of being permanently plugged in. And of course, there’s the emergence of AI and that all too scary “Deep Fake“!  It’s all very uncertain, with no real rules on how to play the game. It’s thrive or survive, and it can be proper anxiety inducing! Can we emerge from this paralysis?  

Colour Selection for Pantone Colour of the Year 2020

Leatrice Eiseman explains some of the reasoning behind the Classic Blue colour selection for 2020.

“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith,” she said. She also conveyed how the “constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue” means that it is always dependable.

Pantone prides itself in its colour selection methods which are all about the relationship between colour and psychology. Their selection methods also include influences across the many arts and technology industries globally but most notably they also explore the pulse of the public.

“What are people asking for? What are they saying their needs are? What are they hoping for? What are their aspirations? We try to then pick out a color that speaks to that cultural reaction to color, the collective consciousness’s reaction to color, and the psychological and emotional impact.”

Leatrice Eiseman – Executive Director of the Pantone® Color Institute
Classic Blue Bird
Photo by Dominik Lange on Unsplash
Pantone Classic Blue Deorative Door
Photo by Alice Butenko on Unsplash
Dublin Skyline featuring the convention centre and the Samuel Becket bridge under a dusky sky reminiscent of pantone Colour of the year 2020
Photo © Chris Flynn Design

On Familiar Ground

Classic blue needs no invite, it is recognised by all.

 It represents stability, it’s grown up and it holds no real surprises. It is not an exclusive shade tailored through levels of saturation, gama frequencies, and abstract hues. It’s like and old friend, it bypasses generations and it’s not trendy at all! 

“It doesn’t have to be your favorite color; that’s not the point. The point is to get people talking about color. I say, try it, you just might like it!” – Leatrice Eiseman


So? Does this make it boring? I personally believe Classic Blue has got as much possibility as your imagination will allow. 

Last year we witnessed the 2019 colour of the year “Living Coral” expressed through mediums such as fashion, beauty, home decor, graphic design, packaging and even architecture.

So the question is now … how will you embrace Pantone’s colour of the year in 2020!?

Classic Blue Pergola
Photo: Bloom 2016 © Chris Flynn Design
Classic Blue Planters
Photo Bloom 2016 © Chris Flynn Design

Pantone colour of the year 2020 Classic Blue Retro Car
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

Do you need help immersing your new product or brand

into the exciting harmonies of Pantone’s Classic Blue

More Pantone Colour Inspiration from the Blog

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