Celebrating Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year

Flower petals and macaron pastry by the Zamurovic Brothers Illuminating and Ultimate Gray. Pantone has chosen two unique shades as the 2021 Colors of the Year: PANTONE 13–0647 Illuminating and PANTONE 17–5104 Ultimate Gray. These complementary colors reflect the optimism and hope that the new year brings, as well as steadiness and resilience. “The union […]
Flower petals and macaron pastry by the Zamurovic Brothers

Illuminating and Ultimate Gray.

Pantone has chosen two unique shades as the 2021 Colors of the Year: PANTONE 13–0647 Illuminating and PANTONE 17–5104 Ultimate Gray. These complementary colors reflect the optimism and hope that the new year brings, as well as steadiness and resilience.

“The union of an enduring Ultimate Gray with the vibrant yellow Illuminating expresses a message of positivity supported by fortitude. Practical and rock solid but at the same time warming and optimistic, this is a color combination that gives us resilience and hope. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted; this is essential to the human spirit.” — Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Here are a few ways you can use images featuring Illuminating and Ultimate Gray for your projects:

  • Create emotive, cohesive and inspiring presentations.
  • Create custom printed fabrics for home decor projects such as pillows and wallpaper.
  • Print images in these inspiring colors to fashion a new photo gallery to hang in your home.

Tips for Photographers:

  • Utilize these colors to inspire creative direction for personal photo projects, such as photographing buildings with elements of Ultimate Gray and Illuminating.
  • Let the colors of the year guide the creative direction of wardrobe selection and location for a fashion or portrait shoot.
  • Add emotions and storytelling to your photographs. For example, does someone in your life represent strength and resilience to you? Create a portrait and edit in monochrome with shades of Ultimate Gray.

Explore images that celebrate the 2021 colors of the year on Noun Project:

Photo by Avel Shah | Photo by Bojan Zamurovic
Photo by Johnathan Conlon | Photo by Jacob Lund
Photo by Lorie Shaull | Photo by Anna Ivanova
Photo by Bojan Zamurovic | Photo by Anna Ivanova | Photo by Bojan Zamurovic
Photo by Jacob Lund
Photo by the Zamurovic Brothers | Photo by Jacob Lund | Photo by the Zamurovic Brothers
Photo by the Zamurovic Brothers | Photo by Bogdan Dreava
Photo by Bojan Zamurovic | Photo by Avel Shah
Photo by Carol Highsmith | Photo by Daniela Temneanu
Photo by Bojan Zamurovic | Photo by Daniela Temneanu | Photo by Bojan Zamurovic
Photo by Daniela Temneanu | Photo by Carol Highsmith | Photo by Bojan Zamurovic
Photo by Denis Kuvaev | Photo by Avel Shah | Photo by Daniela Temneanu
Photo by Aiyush Pachnanda | Photo by Suzanne Strong
Lemons and Ice, Tropical Fruits, Leaping Banana by Bojan Zamurovic
Photo by Jacob Lund | Photo by Daniela Temneanu
Photo by Carol Highsmith | Photo by Lorie Shaull | Photo by Carol Highsmith
Photo by Carina Koenig | Photo by Bojan Zamurovic

Discover more photos at thenounproject.com

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Suzanne Strong

Suzanne Strong

Creative Director for Photos at Noun Project and Photographer

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