If your social media feed is covered in all white, it’s likely because the Pantone Color Institute has unveiled its Color of the Year 2026: Cloud Dancer, a lofty white shade that symbolizes calming influence in a society that’s rediscovering the value of quiet reflection.  

“Similar to a blank canvas, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer signifies our desire for a fresh start. Peeling away layers of outmoded thinking, we open the door to new approaches,” said Pantone in a statement.

The Pantone Color Institute first launched its Color of the Year in 2009 with Turquoise and has since emerged as one of the influential voices in design and color. But how does the organization consistently capture the cultural zeitgeist in a single color, and what factors contribute to the decision-making process for this globally recognized color trend?

How is the Pantone Color of the Year chosen?

The Pantone Color of the Year is chosen by the Pantone Color Institute team members based on research and global color trends across design, fashion, current events, and technology.

“To arrive at the selection each year, this global team of color experts at the Pantone Color Institute comb the world looking for new color influences,” shares Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute.

“For example, if you look back to 15 years ago, technology would have played an infinitesimal role. Today that is no longer the case. Gaming, social media, AR and physical design itself are all influenced by our technology and the colors we can access in the digital environment,” she added.

Even the name of the selected Pantone Color of the Year shouldn’t come off pretentious, says Pressman: “We want to make sure that the name of our Pantone Color of the Year resonates and can easily and intuitively convey the message we are looking to send.”

What if Pantone can’t find a color that best represents a specific year? The team creates one, just as it did for the 2022 Pantone Color of the Year, Very Peri. Talk about love and dedication to the craft!

What’s the significance of the Pantone Color of the Year?

Every color tells a story, and for Pantone, the Color of the Year reflects lifestyle trends globally. The emotional aspect of color is crucial, as the Institute team members ensure that the selected colors reflect global culture at a specific moment in time.

The Pantone Color of the Year seeks to highlight the impact colors have on people’s lives, regardless of shade or popularity, which, in turn, helps foster a more expressive, closely connected society. 

As the Pantone Color Institute explained: “Color is the most important powerful communication tool. It is the first thing we see and the first thing we connect to. It is a visual language we all understand, one whose message crosses genders, generations, and geographies.”

So, what makes the Pantone Color Institute the global color expert?

The Pantone Color Institute has been around for decades (since 1963, to be exact), and has built a strong reputation as a leading consulting service, teaming up with global brands to harness the power, psychology, and emotional influence of color in their design strategy. 

So, yes—when Pantone names a ‘Color of the Year’—the design world, fashion industry, and marketing experts all pay close attention.

What can you say about the Pantone Color of the Year?