Visualizing Every Pantone Color of the Year

22 Colors From 2000-2020

The Pantone Color System is one of the most important color matching systems in the world. Originating in 1963, the system aimed to help bring a solution to the complicated color matching process in the printing industry. Not long after, Pantone became the easiest and simplest way to classify, communicate and match colors with the use of a color catalog in a fan format. Every color, in every tone and tint, was given a unique number to classify it. For over 40 years, Pantone has been the go-to color matching system for not only the design industry but also paint, textile and plastic manufacturers.

In 2000, the Pantone Color Institute created the Pantone Color of the Year as a way to inspire art and design in all of its forms for the upcoming year. The color experts at Pantone make their pick based on “what is needed in our world today.” To commemorate over two decades of Pantone's color choices, the palettes below match each color to imagery from some of my favorite artists and photographers. Each image has a link attached to it, which will take you to the artist or photographer's website.

Classic Blue
Pantone 19-4052
#0F4C81
2020
thissetFrank Ocean by Petra CollinsScott Listfield painting
Living Coral
Pantone 16-1546
#FF6F61
2019
Jen Mann paintingSimon Davidson photographyLeonardo Worx artist
Ultra Violet
Pantone 18-3838
#5F4B8B
2018
Alyssa Katherine Faoro photographyValentin Fougeray photographyTamas Horvath photography
Greenery
Pantone 15-0343
#88B04B
2017
Olivia Steele neon artNicola Kloosterman collageJulien Palast art
Serenity
Pantone 15-3913
#92A8D1
Rose Quartz
Pantone 13-1520
#F7CAC9
2016
Sam Octigan paintingVishal Marapon photographytenr photo
Marsala
Pantone 18-1438
#955251
2015
Vonn Sumner paintingDiego Brambilla photographyNatasha Kristian photography
Radiant Orchid
Pantone 18-3224
#B163A3
2014
Daniel Rich paintingKip Omolade paintingKelly Reemsten art
Emerald
Pantone 17-5641
#009473
2013
JKB Fletcher paintingDaniel Rich paintingAlayna Coverly painting
Tangerine Tango
Pantone 17-1463
#DD4124
2012
Yago Hortal paintingTag Christof photographyAmanda Jasnowski photography
Honeysuckle
Pantone 18-2120
#D94F70
2011
sofles graffitiFrancoise Nielly paintingLori Hersberger neon art
Turquoise
Pantone 15-5519
#45B5AA
2010
Frank Ocean by Alasdair McLellanWitchoria artIzaac Enciso art
Mimosa
Pantone 14-0848
#F0C05A
2009
José Parlá artLola Dupre collageAna Montiel art
Blue Iris
Pantone 18-3943
#5A5B9F
2008
sebasrivasartChloe Newman photographyOlaf Breuning photography
Chili Pepper
Pantone 19-1557
#9B1B30
2007
Juan Manuel Sanabria paintingAnastasiia Chorna photographyOlly Geary photography
Sand Dollar
Pantone 13-1106
#DECDBE
2006
Robert Gaudette photographyLui Ferreyra artMatthieu Bourel collage
Blue Turquoise
Pantone 15-5217
#53B0AE
2005
Kim Keever photographyMarten Elder photographySamuel Zeller photography
Tigerlily
Pantone 17-1456
#E2583E
2004
Alexa Cushing photographyFranciscov Vargas photographyLisa Ericson painting
Aqua Sky
Pantone 14-4811
#7BC4C4
2003
Martina Lang photographyFlora Borsi photographyNoel Spirandelli photography
True Red
Pantone 19-1664
#BF1932
2002
Cru Camara photographyAlex Prager photographyIzaac Enciso photography
Fuchsia Rose
Pantone 17-2031
#C74375
2001
Kaws paintingPetra Collins photographyJeongmee Yoon The Pink and Blue Project Photography
Cerulean
Pantone 15-4020
#9BB7D4
2000
Kim Byungkwan collageIna Jang photographyAnna Bukliewer collage
Adam Fuhrer — 2019·11·12