Pantone cranks up the whalesong

'Anchoring and meditative' colour of the year

By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Bootnotes, 24th December 2007 10:34 GMT

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In case you thought common-sense outfits like Pantone - the "global authority on colour" - were immune to rebranding madness, symptomised by the overwhelming desire to give forth in Strategy Boutique Newspeak, it's our sad duty to bring to your attention this announcement regarding the company's "colour of the year":

Pantone, Inc, the global authority on colour and provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, selected PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris, a beautifully balanced blue-purple, as the colour of the year for 2008. Combining the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple, Blue Iris satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement.

"From a colour forecasting perspective, we have chosen PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris as the colour of the year, as it best represents colour direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics, and home products," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute®. "As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays."

Splendid. Ms Eiseman doubtless did her soul-searching for this particular load of complete nonsense with the whalesong cranked up to 11 and in a thick joss-stick-generated scented fog. We wish her and our beloved readers a beautifully balanced, meditative, and anchored 2008. ®

Bootnote

Thanks to Roland Muts for the heads-up.

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