Pantone Award Ceremony: Roll Out the Ultra Violet Carpet

Can you imagine if the Pantone Color Institute hosted an award ceremony to honor the 2018 Color of the Year: 18-3838 Ultra Violet? The guest list would be amazing, the decorations would be tastefully purple, and – you just know – the music would be compelling and iconic.

The Pantone color of the year, Ultra Violet, is a nod to counterculture, individuality, and to non-conformity. It is, in its very essence, an anthem to thinking outside the box, to expanding our horizons, and to navigating the unknown. The blue-based purple, or “beyond violet” from the Latin word ultra, inspires visions of the beyond – like endless galaxies, scientific discoveries, and technological advancements. Ultra Violet – the highest frequency of visible light — is about reaching past where our telescopes and satellites can see, to shedding light on the dark recesses of society’s ills, and to working towards a better future.

In addition to the the multi-layered and profound elements inspired by Ultra Violet, a Pantone Award party would just be ultra cool. Purple is symbolic of royalty and only Ultra Violet-inspired royalty would be able attend the event.

The iconic music legends Jimi Hendrix, Prince, and David Bowie would definitely be strutting the purple carpet, embodying the creative, unique, and experimental values of Ultra Violet.

Unexpected characters like Disney’s Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty or Ursula from The Little Mermaid would be there in all their villainess glory. They may not always have everyone’s best interests at heart, but you can’t deny that they are tough enterprising women who should not be underestimated…or they might crash your party and steal your voice.

Ultra Violet has long been a background color, a wallflower at life’s dance of colors, and an unconventional choice at that. It’s time to bring it to the forefront and sprinkle some thoughtful unconventionality into our lives by recognizing the unsung purple heroes of the world.

The purple Muppet, Mahna Mahna, who, with a limited vocabulary and a desire to break out of harmony, made the song “Mahna Mahna” an anthem of improvisation and a tune that symbolizes walking to the beat of your own drum.

Other guests include: the beloved, Count Von Count, from Sesame Street who encourages young children to love counting. Or, the impish Willy Wonka who works to keep the magic of childhood alive. The mischievous Cheshire Cat from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland would also be invited, full of philosophical questions and enigmatic riddles to confuse reporters during the red (or purple) carpet interviews.

Whomever you are hoping to add to the guest list, a Pantone award ceremony would be a perfect way to recognize Ultra Violet’s already substantial contribution to the world. We can’t wait to see what else 2018 may hold for the Pantone color of the year. To celebrate Ultra Violet in your own way, visit the Ultra Violet themed Design By Humans’ tees here.