As 2020 nears its tumultuous end, the Pantone Color Institute has taken up its annual task of forecasting the color that will best reflect the year ahead.

And, in a decision befitting a complex time, the color authority — which standardizes swatches for the design industry — has revealed not one, but two hues for its Color of the Year: the neutral Ultimate Gray and vibrant yellow Illuminating.

“It’s a combination that speaks to the resilience, the optimism and hope and positivity that we need, as we reset, renew, reimagine and reinvent,” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, in a video call along with executive director, Leatrice Eiseman.

It’s the first time an achromatic shade (gray) has been selected, and the second time two colors have been chosen.

In 2016, the pale pink and blue hues, Rose Quartz and Serenity broke the norm when they were presented as a gradient.

Though Pantone selecting two colors might be seen as hedging its bets — a gray or yellow, depending on how 2021 unfolds — Pressman and Eiseman want people to consider the colors’ impact as a unified pair, hinting at the importance of solidarity in the coming year.

“Two extremely independent colors highlight how different elements come together to express this message of strength and hopefulness,” said Pressman.

The only other time an optimistic yellow hue has been selected was during another widespread economic crisis. For 2009, Pantone chose the lively Mimosa, projecting a sense of hope as the Great Recession of 2008 rocked North and South Americas and Europe.

According to Pantone’s press statement, Illuminating is associated with optimism and vivacity, while Ultimate Gray encourages “feelings of composure, steadiness and resilience.”

Pantone’s selection for Ultimate Gray, however, is a bit more complicated. Though it was selected for its qualities of fortitude and reliability — it’s the color of stone, and a classic neutral in a wardrobe — according to research, gray is linked with negative moods like sadness, fear and disappointment. But Pressman thinks gray can be a bit more versatile and open to interpretation.

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【样本】yàngběn swatch a small sample of fabric intended to demonstrate the look of a larger piece

【非彩色的】fēi cǎisè de achromatic without color

2020年即将在一片混乱中走向尾声之时，潘通色彩研究所发布了代表2021年度趋势的色彩。

在这个复杂的情势下，为设计行业提供标准色卡的这个色彩权威机构本次发布的年度色彩不是一个，而是两个：极致灰和荧光黄。

潘通色彩研究所的副所长劳里▪普雷斯曼在和执行董事莉雅翠丝▪艾斯曼一起参加的视频通话中表示：“这个色彩组合代表了我们在重置、重启、重构和改造过程中所需要的适应力、乐观、希望和积极性。”

这是潘通首次选择非彩色颜色（灰色）作为年度色，在一个年度选出两个代表色则是第二次。2016年潘通曾打破常规，选择水晶粉和宁静蓝两种色彩的渐变组合作为年度色彩。

尽管潘通选择的这两种颜色好似在两面下注，是灰色还是黄色更合适，取决于2021年的走向。不过普雷斯曼和艾斯曼希望人们将这两种颜色作为一个统一的整体来看待其影响，暗示着来年团结一心的重要性。

普雷斯曼说：“两个极为独立的颜色凸显出不同的因素如何一起传达出力量和希望的讯息。”

在此之前，潘通唯一一次选择乐观的黄色是在另一轮大范围的经济危机期间。2009年潘通将充满活力的含羞草黄选为年度色彩，给遭遇2008年大萧条的北美、南美和欧洲带去希望的感觉。

根据潘通的新闻声明，荧光黄与乐观和活力有关，而极致灰则鼓励“平静、稳定和柔韧的感觉”。

不过，潘通对极致灰的选择则更复杂一些。灰色是石头的颜色，是衣柜中的经典中性色。尽管选择灰色是因其刚毅和可靠的隐含义，但研究显示，灰色与悲伤、恐惧和失望等负面情绪有关。但是普雷斯曼认为，灰色可以有更多面，有更多不同的诠释。(chinadaily.com.cn)