Bold colors are back! After such a decline in colors and brands shifting to minimalistic and uniform looks accross all brands Pantone introduces the new color of the year to be extremely vivid and bold!
As Letrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute states, “In this age of technology, we look to draw inspiration from nature and what is real. PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta descends from the red family, and is inspired by the red of cochineal, one of the most precious dyes belonging to the natural dye family as well as one of the strongest and brightest the world has known.¨
If you ask us we think Pantone´s mission with this color is to bring back our inner strength to the world. Viva Magenta is derived from red and is audacious and inviting. We can see Pantone playing its role in bringing the energy back from these years that took a toll on everyone during the end of 2019-2021.
We haven’t seen a shade of red show up on Pantone’s popular color trend announcement for eight years, with the release of Marsala in 2015. So let's go ahead and dive into how we should use it this 2023.
Viva Magenta in a monochrome color palette
Let's start with a classic safe combination for every color and add a monochromatic look to the color. Pair Viva Magenta with other pinks and reds to create a rich and delightful aesthetic.
Alternatively, you can add a complementary color, like this jade green, to create contrast.
Viva Magenta with a hint of neon
This year's color is very bold and assertive. Pairing a bold color with a bold neon accent will be very eye catching and will evoke the fearless feeling that the color is meant to portray. Be careful to pair this mix with some subtle tones too if using it for branding purposes so as to be able to merge and use it in diverse scenarios.
Use Viva Magenta as an accent color. It’s a deep enough tone to be used in headings and website copy, as well as calls to action on a website.
Viva Magenta with earthy hues
Pairing Viva Magenta with earth tones will give you a retro look like the iconic Benefit Cosmetic look. But it can also be paired with soft pinks to bring down the boldness and make the designs softer depending on your needs.
We love the flexibility of this color and the impact it makes no matter what it’s paired with!
HEX code for the Pantone color of the year 2023
We know Pantone operates on its own color system. But we’ve found a HEX code that’s a near-perfect match to this year’s 2023 Pantone color. Enjoy!