Pantone Colours of the Year: 2015-2025 and Their Impact on Branding

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Originally published in 2013, this post has been fully updated for 2025 to reflect the latest Pantone Colour of the Year trends and insights.

Since 2000, the Pantone Colour Institute has selected a Colour of the Year to reflect global design trends and cultural moods. These colours influence industries like fashion, interior design, branding and marketing.

Each year’s choice comes after thorough research. Pantone considers global events, new art movements, technology, environmental concerns and consumer behaviour shifts. Some colours bring calm and comfort, while others inspire bold change. They serve as a visual language, helping brands connect with audiences in a meaningful way.

Over the past decade, Pantone’s selections have mirrored societal change. Classic Blue (2020) symbolized trust as the world entered a new decade. Viva Magenta (2023) encouraged fearless self-expression. Every colour tells a story—one that captures the present and hints at the future.

Let’s explore the Pantone Colours of the Year from 2015 to 2025, their meaning, and their impact on branding, marketing and design.

A Decade of Colour: 2015-2025

Mocha Mousse is a rich, earthy brown that evokes stability, comfort and indulgence. It works well for luxury branding, artisanal goods and sustainable packaging. The colour aligns with eco-conscious movements and timeless elegance.

Peach Fuzz is a soft, warm pastel that symbolizes gentleness, self-care and connection. Wellness brands, spas and skincare companies embraced it to promote relaxation and emotional well-being.

Viva Magenta is a bold crimson red that radiates energy, bravery and empowerment. It became a favourite in fashion, beauty and high-energy marketing. Brands used it to create eye-catching visuals and vibrant brand identities.

Very Peri, a periwinkle blue with violet-red undertones, represented transformation and digital evolution. It reflected trends in NFTs, virtual reality and AI-driven design. Tech brands and digital creatives adopted it to highlight innovation and progress.

Illuminating, a bright yellow, paired with Ultimate Gray to symbolize hope and resilience. Many brands combined these colours in advertising, wellness campaigns and lifestyle marketing to send messages of strength and optimism.

Classic Blue is a deep, stable blue chosen to instill trust and calm. With the world entering uncertain times, this colour resonated with finance, healthcare and corporate brands. It communicated professionalism and security, making it a go-to for serious industries.

Living Coral is a vibrant coral with golden undertones. It conveyed warmth, playfulness and human connection. Brands used it to add energy to advertising, product design and social media graphics. Apple even introduced coral-toned devices that year.

Ultra Violet is a dramatic, deep purple that symbolizes creativity, individuality and innovation. It resonated with artists, tech companies and beauty brands looking to make bold statements. The shade reflected the rise of futuristic and artistic expression in marketing.

Greenery is a fresh, yellow-green shade that represents renewal, growth and nature. Brands embraced it to promote sustainability, eco-friendly products and wellness-focused lifestyles. It became popular in packaging, branding and interior design.

Pantone selected two colours for the first time: Rose Quartz (soft pink) and Serenity (tranquil blue). They symbolized balance, peace and gender inclusivity. These shades were widely seen in fashion, cosmetics and social media aesthetics. Sephora even released a limited-edition makeup line inspired by them.

Marsala is a rich, earthy red-brown with warmth and sophistication. It evokes comfort, dependability and timelessness. Brands used it in luxury packaging, food branding and home décor to create an elegant and refined feel.

Incorporating Pantone Colours into Branding and Marketing

Using Pantone’s Colour of the Year in branding can boost relevance and emotional impact. Here’s how businesses have successfully used these colours:

• Product design: Brands release limited-edition products featuring the Colour of the Year. For example, in 2016, Sephora created a makeup line inspired by Rose Quartz and Serenity.
• Advertising campaigns: Adding the Colour of the Year into marketing materials creates a trendy and fresh look. Classic Blue (2020) helped brands establish trust and professionalism in uncertain times.
• Retail and interior design: Many stores and hotels update their decor to match the Colour of the Year. Greenery (2017) was a favourite for home décor and office spaces.
• Digital & social media presence: Brands refresh website colour schemes, social media graphics and marketing visuals with the Colour of the Year. Viva Magenta (2023) stood out in bold, high-energy online campaigns.
• Fashion & apparel: The Colour of the Year sets seasonal fashion trends. Living Coral (2019) became a hit in summer fashion and swimwear.

Why Pantone’s Colour of the Year Matters for Brands

Pantone’s Colour of the Year is more than just a trend. It reflects global emotions and consumer desires. Whether a colour offers stability in uncertain times or inspires change and innovation, it influences branding, marketing and design.

Using the latest Colour of the Year in advertising, branding and product design keeps businesses relevant. It helps brands connect with their audiences through emotion, aesthetics and psychology.

Conclusion: Looking to Refresh Your Brand’s Visual Identity?

Is your brand’s visual identity outdated or lacking emotional impact? It’s time to bring new energy, relevance and vibrancy into your marketing strategy.

At Elite Digital, we help businesses integrate powerful, trend-driven visuals that captivate audiences and reinforce brand messaging. Whether you need a full rebrand, a refreshed marketing campaign or expert design consultation, our team is ready to help.

Contact us today to craft a visually stunning brand identity that connects with your audience and sets you apart from the competition!