Did you know that Pantone pick a 'colour of the year' each year? I love their website for exploring new colours and checking shades of different colours, but this is also a fab way to see which colour will be (or they predict will be) 'on trend' each year. The Pantone experts carry out extensive research around the world, looking for new colour influences in all areas of design, art collections, fashion, the entertainment industry, popular travel destinations, new technology, materials, textures, social media platforms and upcoming sporting events.

The colour of 2020 is called 'Classic Blue' and is described on their website as 'Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.'

 They say that it is 'A timeless and enduring blue hue, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is elegant in its simplicity. Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation on which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era. Imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue re-centers our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.'

What do you think? What does this colour say to you? I think it's a very classic colour and could be used well within a logo design to give a feeling of elegance and tranquility. I used a similar colour last year for a logo for Oxfordshire Shepherd Huts, but for this one chose a shade called 'Oxford Blue' for it's obvious connections! 

Pantone have been setting a colour of the year for over 20 years, and have influenced decisions in industries including fashion, furnishing, packaging and graphic design. Here are the colours they've chosen for the years since I graduated with my graphic design degree back in 2005! Which is your favourite? I'd love to hear from you over on my social media accounts!

I set up as a freelance graphic designer in January 2018 and spookily chose purple, fitting in with their colour of the year which was 'Ultra Violet', without realising that I was on trend, but choosing a colour based on it's values and which would work for me.

You can visit the Pantone website and read more about these colours and trends by clicking here.