Pantone, and the Psychology of Color

El Mirage 1, El Mirage Dry Lake, Ca. 2024

Since late 1999, Pantone has selected a color for the coming year to be “Color of the Year”, drawing on a wide range of influences from film, art, fashion and design trends, etc. In other words, it reflects the current and foreseeable future “mood” of current culture. Since its inception up until 2025, the color choices have been mostly saturated, deeper hues, such as Tangerine Tango and Viva Magenta, as seen in chart below.

To be honest, I haven’t paid much attention to Color of the Year before now, thinking it more of a frivolous fashion or interior design statement.  However, since I have shifted to creating more color images and less black and white, I have been contemplating color much more intensively in an attempt to define my personal color palette, and how to use it to convey the desired feel of my images.

For 2026, Pantone has announced Cloud Dancer 11-4201 as the Color of the Year, and it’s a shade of white! For many, this may seem silly, because of the conscious absence of color in this choice, but I feel like this is a very appropriate color to reflect the psychology of our current times.

Analysis of Cloud Dancer shows that its color makeup is RGB 240, 238, 233. Almost equal parts red and green, slightly less blue. It’s value in the 240 range is bright, but not a “bleached” white. This obvious departure to a very light neutral is explained by Pantone:

“Similar to a blank canvas, Cloud Dancer signifies our desire for a fresh start. Peeling away layers of outmoded thinking, we open the door to new approaches. An airy white hue, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer opens up space for creativity, allowing our imagination to drift so that new insights and bold ideas can emerge and take shape.” -Laurie Pressman, Vice President, Pantone Color Institute

“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity. The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences.” -Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute

When I read these statements, I am instantly aligned with their sentiments. Our culture is  currently experiencing a constant onslaught of noise, in audible and visual form, that distracts us from our true potential, and robs us of peace and tranquil contemplation. We are desperately in need of less; less information, less stimulation, less noise. I feel that Cloud Dancer is a relevant expression of that need for space to breathe. The driving theme of my work is to address these very issues in a chronic effort to convey the possibility of tranquility among the constant noise that surrounds us. 

I would love to know your thoughts on Pantone's choice of Cloud Dancer 11-4201 as Color of the Year. Please leave a comment at bottom of page.