Pantone Selects ‘Cloud Dancer’ as 2026 Color of the Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pantone has announced “Cloud Dancer,” a nuanced shade of white, as it’s Color of the Year for 2026. The selection, revealed today, signals a departure from recent bolder choices and reflects a growing desire for tranquility and simplicity in a rapidly changing world, according to color experts.
The Pantone Color Institute,a global authority on color,arrives at its annual selection through extensive trend analysis across industries including fashion,design,and technology. This year’s choice isn’t about dictating a trend, but rather recognizing a pervasive sentiment, according to Laurie Pressman, Director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It’s critically important to remember that the goal of the program isn’t to push a certain color, even though we do see that colors named as Pantone Color of the Year increase in popularity,” she stated in a 2023 interview on Pantone’s website. “The goal of the program is to help companies and consumers better understand the power color can have.”
The process of identifying the Color of the Year is not a single event, but a year-long conversation among the institute’s members, drawn from diverse backgrounds, as they monitor and forecast color and design trends. Pantone’s selections have historically influenced product development and marketing strategies across numerous sectors, from apparel and accessories to interior design and graphic arts.The institute anticipates ”Cloud Dancer” will inspire a sense of calm and optimism, offering a versatile base for creative expression.
