At the beginning of Pantone's success story was a need that was as obvious as it was complex: the desire to systematize colors. Because however emotional, cultural, and subjective color may be, clear agreements are needed in design, industry, and production. But how do you talk about something that everyone perceives differently?

In 1962, Lawrence Herbert provided an answer to precisely this question. In a year marked by political and social upheaval, he bought the Pantone company and developed the Pantone Matching System – a color system that standardizes, codes, and makes colors comparable worldwide. The idea is as simple as it is effective: Each color receives a unique code and a name. Subjective perception recedes into the background, while precision takes center stage.

The Pantone color fan, which Lebenskleidung also uses, now comprises around 2,100 colors – fromBright WhiteaboveMolten Lavaup toFrosted AlmondAll these shades are based on 18 basic colors, which can be combined in different ratios to create so-called spot colors. These cannot be reproduced using conventional four-color printing methods and form the core of the Pantone system. A powdery beige likeMother of PearlFor example, it then carries the code12-1006 TPX– clear, precise, and understandable worldwide.

But Pantone doesn't just classify colors; it also observes how color preferences change. Trend researchers travel to major cities, observing everyday culture, design, fashion, and architecture. Because before forms emerge, it is colors that have an effect. Around 80 percent of our perception is based on visual stimuli – and color plays a central role in this.

Pantone's famous "Color of the Year" is determined up to two years in advance. For companies that work with color, this is a fine line between trend forecasting and actual acceptance. Not every trend color is equally popular – consider, for example...Radiant Orchid, the powerful purple of 2014, which polarized opinions.

Particularly noteworthy was the decision for the year in which two colors were chosen together for the first time: Rose Quartz and Serenity. Pantone described them as a combination of warmth and tranquility – gentle but not weak, understated yet powerful. Societal developments also played a role: the increasing blurring of gender-specific color associations was reflected in this choice. Pink and blue were no longer conceived of separately, but consciously combined.

The fact that colors always carry cultural meanings is still evident today. New colors such asMinion YellowNamed after iconic film characters, these colors find their way into the color palette and are imbued with qualities like optimism, clarity, and joie de vivre. Which of these colors will endure and which will fade away often only becomes apparent over time.