Colors are an integral part of our lives. They influence our moods, inspire creativity, and even impact purchasing decisions. With new technologies and innovations, new colors are being created all the time. So what are some of the newest colors that have been recently added to the color wheel?
What factors lead to new colors being created?
There are a few key factors that drive the creation and discovery of new colors:
- New pigments and dyes – Chemists are constantly developing new pigments and dyes for use in manufacturing and the arts. Many of these introduce new shades and hues.
- Technology innovations – Advances in areas like LED lighting and quantum dot technology are allowing new shades of light and color.
- Nature’s discoveries – New plants and organisms discovered can have unique colors not seen before. These are sometimes named and classified as new colors.
- Marketing trends – Brands are always looking for a unique color to represent them and stand out. This leads to new branded colors.
- Creativity – Designers and artists are continually experimenting with blending and shifting colors to create fresh new takes on color.
These drivers result in new colors being added over time across many industries. Each year, organizations like Pantone evaluate trending colors and add new ones based on current creative influences in the world.
What are some examples of new colors created recently?
Here are some interesting new colors that have been formulated, named, and promoted in the past couple of years:
| Color Name | Year Created | Created By |
|---|---|---|
| Illuminating | 2021 | Pantone |
| Very Peri | 2022 | Pantone |
| Viva Magenta | 2023 | Pantone |
| Neo Mint | 2020 | Pantone |
| Living Coral | 2019 | Pantone |
| Chrome Yellow | 2018 | Pantone |
| Ultra Violet | 2018 | Pantone |
As you can see, color experts like Pantone regularly select and highlight new trendy colors each year. This helps drive fashion, design, and marketing in new creative directions.
Illuminating
Illuminating is a bright, cheerful yellow shade that radiates positivity and optimism. After the challenges of 2020, Pantone chose this vibrant color to represent new hope in 2021.
Very Peri
A fresh take on classic periwinkle blue, Very Peri is Pantone’s 2022 color. This playful pastel purple-blue aims to encourage creativity and imagination.
Viva Magenta
Viva Magenta is Pantone’s 2023 color of the year. It’s a bold, uplifting red tone inspired by cochineal insects. The color energizes yet also promotes groundedness and balance.
Neo Mint
Neo Mint is a soft, soothing green-blue mint shade. Pantone chose this pastel color in 2020 to encourage calmness, wellness, and connection to nature.
Living Coral
A vibrant peachy-orange, Living Coral was Pantone’s 2019 color of the year. It aimed to embrace warmer tones and uplifting yet authentic energy.
Chrome Yellow
Chrome Yellow is a dazzling radiant yellow introduced by Pantone in 2018. It reflects enthusiasm, imagination, and joyful energy.
Ultra Violet
Ultra Violet was Pantone’s 2018 color of the year. This deep purple embodies individuality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking.
How are new colors created and named?
The process of creating and naming new colors can occur in a few different ways:
- Pigment creation – Chemists synthesize new pigments in labs, yielding new dye and color possibilities. These are tested for properties and applications.
- Mixing – Artists mix existing colors in new combinations, often naming their new shades.
- Technology innovations – New technologies like OLED displays produce colors impossible with previous tech. These new shades get classified.
- Nature discovery – A newly discovered plant, animal or mineral with a unique color gets scientifically categorized.
- Brand naming – Brands trademark new color names that represent their products or identity.
- Color forecasting – Trend forecasters like Pantone evaluate up and coming color influences then select and name new standout shades.
These new colors then get recorded in color dictionaries and systems. They gain wider recognition and adoption as artists, designers and manufacturers incorporate them into products and works.
How do colors get their names?
New colors get named in a variety of creative ways:
- Descriptive names – Names that describe the color’s appearance or attributes (e.g. Burnt Sienna, Neon Blue)
- Nature-inspired – Names reflecting things found in nature (e.g. Amethyst, Forest Green)
- Emotions – Names conveying the emotions or feelings the color evokes (e.g. Tranquil, Hopeful, Whimsical)
- Culture – Names reflecting cultural influences or events (e.g. Ultra Violet, Living Coral)
- Brand names – Proprietary color names trademarked by brands (e.g. Tiffany Blue)
- Creative names – Unique intriguing names sometimes related to myths, places or characters (e.g. Thulian Pink)
While descriptive names help identify a color, creative and emotive names help the color feel more meaningful and stand out. The name is key in getting people to notice, adopt and connect with a new color.
What are the latest color trend predictions?
Color experts forecast that the following color palettes and directions will be influential in the next couple of years:
| 2023 Color Trends |
|---|
| – Solid, grounded tones like earthy reds, greens and browns |
| – Pastels shifting into bolder versions like Deep Lilac and Lime Green |
| – Vibrant energizing colors that provide optimism |
| – Inspiration from water colors and ocean palettes |
| – Warm, organic neutrals like beige, brown and taupe |
| 2024 Color Forecast |
| – Bolder, saturated brights signaling a new era |
| – Radiant metallics, pearlescents and iridescents |
| – Frosty icy pastels |
| – Hues inspired by renewable energy like Solar yellow |
| – Retro 1980’s inspired shades |
These forecasts indicate colors are shifting towards bolder brights, elegant neutrals, inspired naturals, and futuristic shifts like metallics.
What role do new colors play in design?
New colors take on an important role across all areas of design:
- Inspiration – New colors spark creative ideas and fuel innovation.
- Freshen perspective – Novel colors help designers break out of habit and routine to see things differently.
- Influence identity – New signature colors make brands stand out.
- Connect to zeitgeist – Trending new colors link designs to what’s new and next.
- Meet user needs – New functional colors enhance usability like warning colors.
- Support creativity – New colors in tools empower creators to realize new visions.
New colors enable designs to stay relevant, capture attention, meet user needs, and envision the future. Designers are always on the lookout for new colors to make designs better.
Should new colors be added to products?
Here are some pros and cons to consider when adding new colors to products:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Attract attention and interest | – Manufacturing complexity |
| – Help stand out from competition | – Inventory management |
| – Align with trends | – Dilution of brand identity |
| – Appeal to wider audience | – Testing and quality control |
| – Express creativity | – Unsuccessful innovations |
The right new colors can boost sales and differentiate products. But too many colors or unsuccessful introductions could have drawbacks. Strategic color decisions are needed when innovating.
How can I stay updated on new colors?
Here are some tips to stay in the know about new color trends and innovations:
- – Follow color forecasters like Pantone for annual color announcements
- – Check out leading manufacturer catalogs for new color collections
- – Look at color trend reports from societies like Color Marketing Group
- – Read design publications and blogs covering color directions
- – Follow influencers in color and design on social media
- – Attend color industry events like ChromaZone conference
- – Talk to suppliers to learn about the newest pigments and dyes
- – Experiment with mixing your own colors and shades
Immerse yourself in color communities and conversations to pick up on both major shifts as well as nuanced developments. Tracking new colors is important for any designer or manufacturer.
Conclusion
New colors emerge year-round across many fields driven by trend analysis, technology advances, market needs, and human creativity. While classic colors provide timelessness, new colors inject vitality, innovation and progress. Intriguing new colors inspire people, enable self-expression and touch emotions. Adopting the next new color can help engage audiences in exciting new ways. What new color will you discover and make your own?
