Viva Magenta 18-1750 was elected Pantone of the year 2023. Let us have a look at how designers are doing, halfway through the year, with the usage of this statement hue!
Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, didn't come out as shocking as it directly draws inspiration from nature in a time where humanity is seeking for natural solutions in everyday life. The carmine dye, actually produced by the cochineal beetle, has been used since the Aztecs, attesting of timeless elegance.
Bold yet subtle, warm yet cool, reddish yet blueish, catchy yet discreet, standing out yet adding depth, floral yet earthy, festive yet classy, feminine and masculine at a time, this tone is incredibly versatile and sophisticated. “We chose this color because we felt that it was an unconventional shade for an unconventional time, something that could present us with a new vision,” affirmed Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone institute.
The best part about it is that this all-purpose hue is ridiculously easy to use, even without parsimony, in numerous applications ranging from fashion to graphic design; it has its place on a telecommunication logo, a printing place storefront, a fashion show, a living room or a lawyer's business card just like on a perfume packaging. Interior designer Ab Rogers from Design founders Ab Rogers and Ernesto Bartolini even brings the color to the next level with a psychological approach to the creation of Maggie's Centre cancer treatment site in Sutton, England:
Believing in colour's sensual and psychological power, we coloured the surrounding rooms to suit the functions and activities they host.
As a good example of Magenta application in graphic design, we can cite the Italian Intenso Roast packaging for Dark Rose Coffee that suggests a strong earthy taste with fruit notes. Dominant Magenta pairs well with a light taupe and the black font on Magenta background gives a real roast impression, evoking the coffee taste with style and sobriety.
Another example can be seen in the Multimedia guide to Polish culture that uses Magenta to promote techno and electronic artists. By pairing the hue with a steel blue, a psychedelic effect is obtained throwing us back to the 70s. Here again, we can appreciate Viva Magenta's versatility according to the color it is used with (Multimedia Guides to Polish Culture - Awwwards SOTD).
For T-Mobile, Magenta is more than just a statement, it is an identity; the brand sports the color everywhere from logotype to homepage, including packaging and advertising. Magenta allows T-Mobile to be spotted easily while conveying a feel of security, practicality and freedom thanks to its worry-free plans. The color also screams communication, joyful mood and dynamism!
Finally, the 3D imaging industry embraces the hue in interior design and the metaverse (as suggested by Pantone with their inaugurating "Magentaverse" campaign). Indeed, Viva Magenta provides a soothing effect to the body and mind inviting to an immersive experience!