Hasta La Ideas

Pantone’s announcement of its impending Colour of the Year has become almost as much of a Yuletide tradition as family rows and hangovers. 2013, we are told, is going to be all about Emerald, or Pantone 17-5641 to its friends

“This colour will be seen over the next 12 months across the fashion industry, beauty, interiors, plastics & packaging, print and graphic design,” Pantone reliably inform us. And who can doubt them? After all, last year’s Tangerine Tango was simply everywhere wasn’t it? No? Oh well.

Why Emerald for 2013? Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute says: “The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other colour in the spectrum. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

Pantone continues: “The prevalence of green has been steadily rising for several seasons now, especially in the fashion and couture markets, and even on the red carpet.” Which could be awkward for the colour blind among us.

Apparently, Emerald is also a winner when it comes to beauty products as it “dramatises all eye colours as it beautifully enhances green eyes, is compatible to blue eyes, emphasises the green undertone in hazel eyes and intensifies brown eyes to make them appear deeper.”

In case you are doubting the rigour of this process Pantone assures us that “The colour of the year selection is a very thoughtful process. To arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for colour influences.”

So there you have it: 2013 will be all about Emerald. Good news for Ireland, Kermit and Celtic supporters who now find themselves not only through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League but also at the forefront of fashion.

And just in case you missed them, here are Pantone’s previous Colour of the Year selections:

· PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012)
· PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011)
· PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise (2010)
· PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa (2009)
· PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris (2008)
· PANTONE 19-1557 Chili Pepper (2007)
· PANTONE 13-1106 Sand Dollar (2006)
· PANTONE 15-5217 Blue Turquoise (2005)
· PANTONE 17-1456 Tigerlily (2004)
· PANTONE 14-4811 Aqua Sky (2003)
· PANTONE 19-1664 True Red (2002)
· PANTONE 17-2031 Fuchsia Rose (2001)
· PANTONE 15-4020 Cerulean (2000)

CR In print

In our December issue we look at why carpets are the latest medium of choice for designers and illustrators. Plus, Does it matter if design projects are presented using fake images created using LiveSurface and the like? Mark Sinclair looks in to the issue of mocking-up. We have an extract from Craig Ward’s upcoming book Popular Lies About Graphic Design and ask why advertising has been so poor at preserving its past. Illustrators’ agents share their tips for getting seen and we interview maverick director Tony Kaye by means of his unique way with email. In Crit, Guardian economics leader writer Aditya Chakrabortty review’s Kalle Lasn’s Meme Wars and Gordon Comstock pities brands’ long-suffering social media managers. In a new column on art direction, Paul Belford deconstructs a Levi’s ad that was so wrong it was very right, plus, in his brand identity column, Michael Evamy looks at the work of Barcelona-based Mario Eskenazi. And Daniel Benneworth-Gray tackles every freelancer’s dilemma – getting work.

Our Monograph this month, for subscribers only, features the EnsaïmadART project in which Astrid Stavro and Pablo Martin invited designers from around the world to create stickers to go on the packaging of special edition packaging for Majorca’s distinctive pastry, the ensaïmada, with all profits going to a charity on the island (full story here)

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