Living Coral-2019 Color of the Year & the Greater Good

Embrace 2019's Color of the Year,

16-1546 Living Coral. Since 2000 PANTONE has analyzed trends to align the "Color of the Year" within art, culture, fashion, decor, and the design world. This year PANTONE selected a vibrant yet mellow 16-1546 Living Coral based on what "society needs" rather than experts seeing a color trending into worldwide prominence.

There are a few skeptics from "Slate" and "The Guardian" stating the color is somewhat of a dishonest misfire, but maybe Leatrice Eiseman, Pantone Color Institute's Executive Director, who plays an integral part in this important decision, thought differently. She is after all a color specialist, author of eight books on the subject, and holds degrees in psychology and counseling. Perhaps Eiseman believes the world needs some "Living Coral" colored glasses.

"Color is an equalizing lens through which we experience our natural and digital realities and this is particularly true for Living Coral. With consumers craving human interaction and social connection, the humanizing and heartening qualities displayed by the convivial PANTONE Living Coral hit a responsive chord," said Leatrice Eiseman.

Color therapy does influence how we feel and act, and in 2019 maybe we will see more of an effort to engage all senses to help shift our communal mood like the color suggests. While experts don't know how long color can affect people or convey deep messages and meanings, one can only hope, that the choice of coral is an opportunity for designers, retailers, and brands to build awareness that the coral reefs are dying.

Is this an opportunity to use the Color of the Year to provide direction for the world to do good? Maybe Eiseman couldn't say it directly as to tip the designer hat, but as a consumer I'm optimistic about 2019's Color of the Year. Could something as simple as a universal color have an energizing effect on people? I would purchase clothing or gear in the color from Lululemon or Patagonia

and be energized for yoga or hiking.

I'm curious, so I've started a hashtag #supportlivingcoral for people to share and document how the color is influencing people. Here's to getting creative, and using the hashtag #supportlivingcoral to capture, share, and connect images or video when you spot Living Coral having an influence for the greater good. Wouldn't it be cool if a company like Patagonia designed a line of their clothing in the color and donated a portion of the sales to build awareness of conservation programs to improve coral reef health, and resilience?

Happy New Year!

Nan Elder

SO Creative