Pantone Color of the Year 2022: How Very Peri Shapes Design Trends

Pantone Color of the Year 2022 — Very Peri: Meaning, Palettes, and Pairings

Meaning

Very Peri (PANTONE 17-3938) is a periwinkle blue with violet-red undertones. It was chosen to reflect a shifting global culture: a blend of dependable blue’s calm and the energetic creativity of red-violet, symbolizing transformation, imagination, and optimism as society embraces digital innovation and new perspectives.

Characteristics

• Hue: Blue base with noticeable violet-red warmth.
• Mood: Playful yet reassuring; futuristic with a human touch.
• Use cases: Creative industries, branding seeking innovation, interiors for expressive accents, fashion statements that mix classic and modern.

Suggested Palettes

1. Soft Contrast

   • Very Peri + warm neutrals (ivory, taupe) + soft gray
   • Effect: Gentle, approachable, modern-living interiors.

2. Bold Complement

   • Very Peri + sunflower yellow or gold + deep navy
   • Effect: High-energy, high-contrast for branding and editorial design.

3. Analogous Harmony

   • Very Peri + lavender + deep violet
   • Effect: Cohesive, layered color story for cosmetics and textiles.

4. Muted Modern

   • Very Peri + dusty rose + sage green + beige
   • Effect: Contemporary, sophisticated palettes for hospitality and product design.

5. Digital Neon

   • Very Peri + electric cyan + magenta accents + black
   • Effect: Futuristic, tech-driven visuals for UI, gaming, and advertising.

Pairing Tips

• Balance intensity: Use Very Peri as an accent if you want vibrancy without overpowering a space or layout.
• Material play: Pair with matte textures for subtlety or metallics (especially gold) for luxury contrast.
• Typography & accessibility: Ensure sufficient contrast for legibility—Very Peri over light backgrounds may need darker text.
• Skin tones (fashion/beauty): Test against varied skin tones—its blue-violet lean can be flattering when paired with warm neutrals or contrasted with warm accessories.
• Scale & proportion: Large fields of Very Peri create bold statements; small doses (pillows, CTA buttons, trim) add modern flair.

Examples of Application

• Interior: Very Peri accent wall, velvet cushions, brass fixtures.
• Branding: Logo highlight, packaging inner lining, seasonal campaign color.
• Fashion: Statement coat or knit, paired with camel or navy.
• Digital: Gradient backgrounds, buttons, and micro-interactions with neon accents.