2018 Color Trends: A Complete Analysis of Pantone and PPG Colors of the Year

Color is a silent language that delivers a powerful visual impact. A successful designer often leverages people's color psychology and associations to achieve brand marketing goals. In fact, color is the weapon of brand design. Pantone, the color authority that sets the trend, has announced the colors for the coming year. For those in design and fashion, these are highly valuable references.

Celery & Avocado Green

Celery Green was also Pantone's Color of the Year for 2017, and its bright, natural, fresh, and clean character has carried its popularity into 2018. Its saturation is not as high as pure green; it represents vitality and symbolizes personal passion and energy, making life seem full of hope. Pantone describes it as: "Celery Green sits between yellow and green; it is the first color to awaken spring, full of natural vitality, with connotations of rebirth and renewal. It presents the thriving energy of plants, visually bringing vitality to the viewer, making one want to take a deep breath, lift their spirits, and feel reborn."

Curcuma & Mustard Yellow

Vibrant turmeric and mustard yellow always bring warmth in autumn and winter, and they are deservedly the go-to colors for vintage style.

Millennial Pink

New York Magazine once dubbed the overwhelming pink trend "Millennial Pink" and gave it this precise assessment: "It is a tacky yet sincere, modern yet nostalgic color." In Valentino's recently released 2018 pre-spring collection, we can see various retro and charming pink pieces. Additionally, the Millennial Pink wave has swept through home decor, beauty, and other fields. This dreamy color, both elegant and kitsch, is gentle, feminine, and has a cool, androgynous vibe.

Klein Blue

"Klein Blue" was invented by French artist Yves Klein. In most of his works, paintings, and sculptures, he used synthetic resin mixed with blue pigment to create the noble and serene "Klein Blue," which has captivated fashion icons. In 2018, Klein Blue remains an active trend color in fashion, even sparking a full-blown Klein Blue storm!

Teal Blue

Teal Blue adds a hint of green to blue, evolving from the popular peacock green and turquoise of previous seasons. It is fresh, soft, and full of vitality.

Purple

In Chinese tradition, purple is a noble color, as seen in the Forbidden City (Zijincheng) and the phrase "purple air comes from the east." In the West, purple has also been favored by aristocrats and was the exclusive color for Roman emperors. Purple is a blend of red and blue, sitting ambiguously between warm and cool. Its low brightness can make it look negative if not paired well. When mixing with warm colors, adjust the purity or brightness to achieve harmony.

Papaya Orange

Orange is a cheerful and lively radiant color, and the warmest in the warm spectrum. Its air penetration is second only to red, but it feels warmer, so it is often used as a signature or promotional color. Papaya Orange, very similar to orange, has a warmer, heavier, and calmer character, making it a strong presence in luxury handbags and lipsticks.

Burgundy Red

Burgundy Red has long been favored by Western celebrities and beauty influencers. It is a shade of red, deeper than wine red, named after the Burgundy wine from France. It is not only used in fashion but also prominently in beauty products. In the 2018 spring/summer fashion trends, many beauty brands launched products in this color to attract customers.

Black Flame

PPG, a global manufacturer of coatings and industrial materials, announced its 2018 Color of the Year: "Black Flame." Why did black flame become the color of 2018? Dee Schlotter, PPG's senior color marketing manager, explains: "Black creates a signal of silence that we crave in a heavy world, while indigo offers possibility and intense hope." Black Flame is a blend of black and navy blue, exuding luxurious charm and highlighting the personality and style of other colors through strong contrast.