Described as instilling calm, confidence and connection, “Classic Blue” was named colour of the year for 2020 by the Pantone Color Institute.

This colour, further illustrated as timeless and elegant, highlights a desire for a stable foundation as the world crosses the threshold into a new era, noted the institute.

“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Imbued with a deep resonance, Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”

The universally loved Classic Blue is also viewed as a restful colour that brings a sense of peace and tranquillity to the spirit. The reflective blue tone also aids concentration and fosters resilience.

Classic Blue is also the first multisensory colour of the year since it taps into sight, sound, smell, taste and texture, continued the institute. 

Pantone has collaborated with sensory experts from the worlds of music, food, fashion, beauty and technology to envision Classic Blue as a sound, a smell, a taste and a feeling. Taken together, these sensory inputs have been designed to inspire creatives and consumers to think about colour differently, to uncover new patterns and associations, and to encourage them to create new experiences that speak to people’s hearts as well as their minds. 

“As we all head into a new era, we wanted to challenge ourselves to find inspiration from new sources that not only evolve our Color of the Year platform, but also help our global audiences achieve richer and more rewarding colour experiences,” said Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “This desire, combined with the emotional properties of Classic Blue, motivated us to expand beyond the visual, to bring the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year to life through a multisensory experience.”