Pantone Spring 2018 Colors | 3 Cool But Powerful Colors
The Spring 2018 Pantone color palette proves that cool can be powerful. Three of the most captivating, dominating shades in the 12-tone Pantone seasonal collection are from the “cooler” end of the color spectrum, showing the design world that greens, blues and purples can take center stage in any design.
In two previous articles, Design Your Lifestyle has broken the 12-color Pantone Spring 2018 collection into sets of three – the Versatile Complementary Colors and the Bright Tones. Our third of four pieces regarding the collection focuses on the Cool But Powerful Colors – three shades that help change the perception of greens, blues and purples in Spring 2018 design.
This trio is led by the 2018 Pantone Color of the Year, Ultra Violet (PANTONE 18-3838). An unflinching, powerful purple, Ultra Violet is equals parts mystical and dominant. By its side stand the blue-green of Arcadia and the light but attention-grabbing Little Boy Blue. Together, these 3 colors form our Cool But Powerful collection of the Pantone Spring 2018 Color Palette.
The 12 shades selected for the Pantone Spring 2018 color palette (plus the 4 “Classic Colors” listed as an addendum) are a large step for Pantone, the world’s foremost authority on color design and color matching. In recent years, Pantone has released seasonal collections of 10 colors, offering plenty of selection and inspiration for color design enthusiasts.
So let’s take a closer look at these 3 strong-yet-cool colors, and how they influence color and design trends in the Spring 2018 season.
Ultra Violet (Pantone 18-3838)
The Pantone 2018 Color of the Year would make Prince and Jimi Hendrix proud. Ultra Violet is a “dramatically provocative and thoughtful” color, according to Pantone. Unafraid to make a statement, Ultra Violet is confident and complex.
Although both colors are generally bright and cheerful, Ultra Violet is a departure from Greenery, the Pantone 2017 Color of the Year. While Greenery was rooted in nature, earthy tones and complementary neutrals, Ultra Violet is a bit more – well, intergalactic. Even Pantone admits there is a “mystical or spiritual quality” to their 2018 Color of the Year.
Arcadia (Pantone 16-5533)
Arcadia is a little more “retro” of a color, according to Pantone itself. Still, this deep blue-green is strong enough to leap into the present and demand our attention. Somewhat adjacent to an emerald jewel tone, Arcadia stays rooted in the trend of natural green and blue shades that began in Pantone’s 2017 collections.
Little Boy Blue (Pantone 16-4132)
Baby blue isn’t just for kids anymore. Despite its name, Little Boy Blue packs more of a punch than other light blues, and it’s far less pastel than fellow Spring 2018 color selections Blooming Dahlia and Pink Lavender. Instead, Little Boy Blue is more reminiscent of a Carolina Blue.
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