Palette of the years

Information Design
Palette of the Years Infographic on a white wall background.

Overview

Goal

Explore Pantone Colors of the Year from 2000 to 2025 as a visual timeline of cultural mood and emotional symbolism.

Challenge

Present information in a clear structured way.

Present a viewpoint of how the Color of the Year are applicable and important to designers.

Strategy

By pairing the color selections with examples from fashion, interior and digital trends, the infographic explores how color trends become part of our everyday visual language.

Target Audience

For general viewers, this timeline shows how our values influence the colors we surround ourselves with. For designers, it highlights how color selection can shape mood, perception and meaning.

Process

Moodboard

Moodboard for the infographic featuring different timeline posters and Pantone colors.

Rough Layouts

Grid of colored squares representing Pantone Colors of the Year labeled 'History Through Color' by Anna Parkhomenko, with one labeled 2000 Cerulean and brief description.
Infographic titled 'History Through Color: Pantone Color of the Year Overview' by Anna Parkhomenko, showing colored circles representing Pantone colors from 2000 to 2005 with associated color names and meanings, arranged with paintbrush and dripping paint designs.
Vertical color strip showing Pantone Colors of the Year with labels for Cerulean 2000, symbolizing peace and future, and Fuchsia Rose 2001, symbolizing brightness and passion.

Data

The process of compiling the data included two phases:

  1. Going through Pantone official articles and press releases on Colors of the Year, conducting keyword analysis on the articles and narrowing down the color meanings to one of six categories (reassurance, serenity, passion, sophistication, energy, creativity).
Pantone announcement of 2016 Colors of the Year: Serenity (PANTONE 15-3919) and Rose Quartz (PANTONE 13-1520) symbolizing tranquility, reassurance, security, calmness, compassion, composure, connection, wellness, and peace.
Example of color treatment from the infographic.
  1. Searching for particular trends in fashion, entertainment, interior design and graphic design for each year and narrowing down on particularly illustrative examples.
Google image search results page showing various photos and articles about the 2016 millennial pink color trend, including fashion, décor, and pop culture references.
Google image search results for '2013 emerald fashion trend' showing various models and outfits in emerald green fashion styles.

Result

Created an infographic with a fun unexpected layout that clearly calls back to the subject matter while keeping the information readable and accessible.

Infographic titled 'Palette of the Years' showing 26 years of Pantone Colors of the Year from 2000 to 2025, featuring colored segments arranged in a semi-circle with each year labeled by color name, attributes, and cultural trends including fashion and design images, along with a legend explaining symbolic meanings of colors such as reassurance, serenity, passion, sophistication, energy, and creativity.