What Is the 2019 Lucky Color of the Year
Pantone named Living Coral (Pantone 16-1546) the 2019 color of the year, selecting a warm, golden hue with a pinkish undertone that evokes natural coral reefs and ocean life. The choice reflects a global search for connection, lightheartedness, and emotional resonance in visual culture. Pantone describes Living Coral as a lively, uplifting shade that promotes joy and optimism in design and branding.
Living Coral combines a warm, orangey base with softer pink and golden undertones, creating a color that feels both energizing and comforting. The shade is designed to work across digital screens, print, fashion, interiors, and product design, making it a flexible choice for brands and creators. Pantone selects one color annually through a secretive process that analyzes global trends in art, fashion, design, and media.
Why Pantone Chose Living Coral for 2019
Pantone's Color Institute evaluates cultural shifts, social media imagery, art movements, and consumer behavior when choosing the annual color. For 2019, the institute pointed to a growing need for color that feels human, authentic, and connected to nature amid digital overload. Living Coral was selected to reflect a desire for playful, life-affirming expression in a fast-moving visual landscape.
The selection process draws on data from trend forecasters, designers, and consumer insights gathered worldwide. Pantone highlights that Living Coral appears naturally in coral reefs, sunsets, and tropical environments, giving it a built-in association with warmth, protection, and vitality. The institute also notes that the color performs well across gender-neutral and inclusive design contexts.
How Living Coral Influenced Design, Fashion, and Branding in 2019
In fashion, Living Coral appeared on runways and in ready-to-wear collections from brands that emphasized color-forward, sustainable materials. Designers used the shade in accessories, knitwear, and outerwear, pairing it with neutrals and complementary blues to highlight its warmth. The color also gained traction in beauty, with makeup and nail polish lines introducing coral-focused palettes.
Brands in tech, consumer goods, and finance incorporated Living Coral into packaging, user interfaces, and marketing visuals to signal freshness and approachability. Companies that rely on strong visual identity used the color in seasonal campaigns and product launches to attract attention on digital platforms. For financial and fintech firms, Living Coral offered a way to stand out in dashboards, reports, and customer-facing interfaces while maintaining a modern, friendly tone. More on Pantone's annual color selection can be found on the official Pantone website at pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2019, and broader trend analysis is available through Forbes at forbes.com.