Emma+K’s+2016+OpEd+Article





“A symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude.”

There seem to be many things that are given to each new year. There are words of the year along with many other things. To me, this generally is more of a nuisance than helpful. What do they actually expect me to do with this “item of the year?"

However, my opinion was changed when I saw Pantone’s color of the year in 2014. Somehow one color changed my life. I would have bought every item of clothing I could think of in “radiant orchid.” I’m pretty sure I did.

I think having a color of the provides a huge amount of necessary guidance in our lives. My life can become very chaotic, and if I didn’t know what color to get things in that would be significantly worse.

I also see the importance of color in expression. We tend to emulate the “mood” of the colors we wear. When my friends wear black they sometimes act more gloomy, whereas if they wear all yellow and bright colors they act more happy. The same thing happens with me. Color plays an important role in mood. There are endless studies done showing what colors you should paint your rooms if you want to feel a certain way, or behave a certain way in that room. Pantone's colors of the year provide different ideas for room themes in a color you know will look stunning.

Color is not superficial. It plays a key role in our psyche. Many people hate on the idea of “girly” colors of the year. This is simply ridiculous. When Pantone explains why they create colors of the year and why they pick the colors they do everything becomes clear. Pantone is attempting to blend colors to express the triviality of our color biases. Our world is a place of conflict and restlessness in many ways. Color is simple. It makes us calm and brings us back to ourselves. While color has been the focus of much negativity (ie skin color), Pantone has found a way to make their colors equally meaningful to all. They change the role of color in everyday life.

Ultimately, color is fantastic. I adore Pantone’s colors of the year. So when you see me wearing Rose Quartz and Serenity in the halls, know the message of calmness, peacefulness and mindfulness I’m sending.