Not a fan of Pantone’s Colour of the Year, are you?

Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2023 is called Viva Magenta.  It’s … well … almost what I’d call “hot pink”.  They say they chose it because its a “powerful” colour.  An “empowering” colour. But frankly but I agree with Architectural Digest who think its too OTT for 2023! Not a fan of Pantone’s Colour of the Year, are you? What do you think?

As a glass artist, I try to match the hues of glass in which I work to current colour trends, simply to make my work ‘up to the minute’ for those trying to match glass art items to their decor choices more generally. Of course, that’s not the only way I make choices – sometimes a piece just cries out to be made in a particular colour – but honestly, I think Pantone don’t have it right this year, and I’m not about to start making everything in “hot pink!

“Pure joy”?

Pantone describe the new colour as “pure joy” and a colour “full of wit and inclusive of all”.

But really I feel it’s SO vibrant it seems a little excessive for a world which has been struggling with multiple challenges … something a bit more muted might suit the current mood. The thing is, the Colour of the Year suddenly starts appearing everywhere, and I just think it’s a bit confronting and out of touch with the current zeitgeist, to be frank. Anyhow, here’s a picture of the colour for 2023.  And while the beetles are simply gorgeous, I’m just not a fan …

So who decides on the Pantone Colour of the Year?

Apparently, twice a year the company hosts, in a European capital, a secret meeting of representatives from various nations’ colour standards groups. After two days of presentations and debate, they choose a colour for the following year.  Here’s more of their description of this year’s choice:

“As a nuanced crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta is also a hybrid colour, one that comfortably straddles the physical and virtual in our multi-dimensional world. It is assertive, but not aggressive, a carmine red that does not boldly dominate but instead takes a “fist in a velvet glove” approach. Exuding dynamism, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta is a transformative red tone capable of driving design to create a more positive future.”

Hmmm. Many a nonsense word is spoken about colour!

For pink, read green

You know you have a gut feeling about things? Well,  I agree with the survey results I read in “The Interior Design Trends” in the journal called Architecture & Design.  They think that the colour for 2023 should be a soft green pastel colour.  Here’s what they say:

“Propelled by increasing anxieties over climate change and a slew of quality, good-for-the-planet products on the market, eco-friendly design approaches have gained momentum in recent years. A staggering 94% of respondents believe that sustainability will continue to be top of mind, as will the like-minded philosophies of biophilia (91%) and organic modernism (82%), along with such complementary decor as patterned wallpaper (85%) and soothing neutrals (84%). ”  

So in my considered opinion, let’s go with greens, especially emerald in 2023.  I’m going to buy more emerald and teal glass.  People are loving it.  Want me to show you some of the gorgeous pieces of work created in my studio?

Anyhow, where’s your vote?

Green or pink? Or something else?

I look forward to hearing from you! Meanwhile, Happy New Year, and happy creating! By the way, 2023 glass workshops are already filling fast – if you want to come along and have some fun I strongly suggest you book now.

Tags: color colors colour Colour of the Year colours emerald glass art green hot pink Jenie Yolland pantone Pantone Color Institute teal Viva Magenta