For 2023 Pantone has announced Viva Magenta as the Color of the Year. Officially Pantone 18-1750, the colour vibrates with vim and vigour. It is a shade rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength. Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, explains “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. Rooted in the primordial, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta reconnects us to original matter. Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength.”
This year’s Viva Magenta follows on from last year’s Very Peri, in a sequence of rich colours. For the full story on Viva Magenta, there’s a comprehensive Pantone article.
As with previous years, Pantone has worked with other partners to transform Viva Magenta into more than just colours. Brazilian footwear manufacturer Cariuma offers a range of sustainable sneakers in Pantone colours including this year’s Color of the Year. Motorola has introduced a special edition smartphone, the Edge 30 Fusion x Pantone. I have to say that it looks pretty good in Viva Magenta. Sadly, there’s no collaboration with Microsoft this year to add Viva Magenta to Teams.
If you are a designer, all the colour standards are on Pantone’s site, including some downloads for Adobe products. The codes for Viva Magenta are sRGB: 190, 52, 85 and Hex: #BE3455.
Welcome to the #Magentaverse – an unconventional shade for an unconventional time!