Powerful and mysterious are the words we’d use to define the trending color of the year. Pantone describes it as a complex and dramatically provocative shade of purple. Whichever way you choose to define it, the ultraviolet color is a brilliant shade that definitely has character.
Wine glass on a table by Volodymyr Melnyk
Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now. The vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own. — Pantone Color Institute, 2018
Technically, as humans, we can’t actually see ultraviolet as a color. But it is possible, from contracting a vision condition called aphakia, which one famous artist, Claude Monet suffered from. His paintings show evidence that he did manage to see and paint in ultraviolet with his eye condition. Still, this didn’t stop the expert color analyzers at Pantone from choosing this color that packs a historical punch.
Visualized as a blue-based purple, it is said that this color only seeks to draw out the creative in you. Think of the late, successful musical icon Prince and his sixth album Purple Rain, where he embodied the color as part of his personality. Forget millennial pink and embrace ultraviolet! This color proves to be an ultra-modern shade that has been making progressive waves, from the art world to Hollywood.
Where We’re Seeing The Ultraviolet Color Trend Applied
This bold color definitely makes a statement, whether its paired with an equally striking typography or used on its own. When used as the main element in design, ultraviolet serves to add a splash of personality to a project. This is especially relevant when a piece of artwork needs a boost of character to spice things up.
Below, we list the various ways this ultraviolet color trend is infusing the creative market with its futuristic vibes.
Playing With Ultraviolet In Photography
While the ultraviolet hue and its surrounding shades aren’t new to the photography field, this year’s Pantone color seems to set a higher bar on the creative radius. We see a majority of photography adopting this color trend through the use of chromatic filters or lighting. These filters seem to lean toward the purplish-blue side of the color spectrum. Check out some of our examples:
Modern Ballet Dancer by Volodymyr Melnyk
Color-toned image of panoramic view, Golden Gate Bridge at sunset by Maciej Błędowski
Ultraviolet Break of Day by Marcus Weldt & FIELD IO
Injecting Ultraviolet Hues Into Illustrations
From digital drawings to 3D rendered works of art, the vibrancy that ultraviolet can offer sets a defined, futuristic tone. In 2018, the year of bold color according to Pantone, we see a more adventurous way of creating visuals using shades of ultraviolet. Here, we can explore some examples that feature this stunning color below.
Ultraviolet Luminous Neon Light Effect Pattern by Yulia Uralova
Hawaiian tropical poster by Aleksandr Baidin
Cyberpunk Obsession by Eugene Golovanchuk
Popping The Ultraviolet Color Trend Into Packaging Design
When people first look at a physical product, they automatically take in the colors, shapes, and textures. Injecting personality into the way a product is packaged with the right colors represents the brand’s culture and what it stands for. Visual interest in a product is achieved through good design. And a good design successfully packages a product’s content in a way that generates curiosity or connection. With this snazzy color on trend, designers everywhere are putting their creativity into play for packaging design.
Roasting Masters by Studio CFC
Commonwealth Brewing Co.’s Beverage Packaging by Thirst
Beaujolais Nouveau by explicit design studio
Ultraviolet Infused In Interior Design
Aside from the more well-known creative fields like photography and graphic design, interior design also makes use of the color trends set for each year. The inside of a space is no doubt a popular medium that utilizes color to define the feel of a room. Interior designers use ultraviolet to provide a certain atmosphere in an area of space, be it an inspiring vibe, a mysterious aura, or if they want to create a luxurious ambiance.
When a certain color is creatively used to give perspective in an area of space, it automatically becomes a focal point. These examples showcase how the use of color, particularly ultraviolet, and its sister shades, dictate a distinct mood in an interior.
3D render of a unique workspace by Katarzyna Białasiewicz
Minimalist Purple Living Room by Paolo De Santis
Gold Vase on Violet Cabinet by Katarzyna Białasiewicz
Hey, you. 😉 If you enjoyed this article, you might like getting a closer look at the pastel color trend. And if that’s not really your thing, check out how sound effects impact the way we see visuals, or a complete guide to mastering color theory.