Stay Peachy!
January 24, 2024
Most of the world doesn't seem to care about the Pantone Color of the Year, but the design(er) community does, and they certainly use it to influence and express the world's mood. When the color of the Year, 2024, was dropped as; "Peach Fuzz,” one of the most optimistic colors of the Year in a while, it felt right: a warm, lingering, and reassuring cuddle. Signaling new beginnings, delight, and the taste of sinking one's teeth into a juicy peach on a beach in the summer months.
This is a color that can be tasted with the eyes (imagine that!).
Through the years, we have seen the deep blues and vibrant reds selected, and to be honest, they have not been mere trends but have been visual representations of the world's consciousness.
In 2012, "Tangerine Tango" was a spirited reddish orange, indicating the need for an energy boost to recharge and move forward. 2015 was ushered in with the earthy but deeply sophisticated "Marsala." And not forgetting the refreshing and revitalizing "Greenery" of 2017 that could have been selected by Mother Nature herself. Each color choice translated into what we saw in fashion, beauty, industrial design, digital design, home furnishings, and architecture.
Several design teams are executing their visual strategy for 2024 and actively reviewing it in real-time (the gift and the curse of the beautiful process). One thing is for sure:
Peach Fuzz is the gentle exhale the world needs right now after a year that felt like we were all holding our breaths.
It will feature as that delicate nudge toward delivering approachable, human-centric designs, a subtle accent color on websites and mobile applications, inviting users to act while staying warm, at home, and feeling authentic.
The psychology of Peach Fuzz is also a win, immersing users in comfort and reassuring optimism while staying beautiful- This is how you depict hope and soft resilience (it's incredible)! The hue provides an escape from whatever not-so-pleasant information might try to fizzle into people's consciousness in the New Year.
With how apt this color is, we just might start seeing it in the latest tech gadgets- smartwatch bands, accessories of different sorts in the hue to signal a lifestyle statement. Digital platforms will also embrace it as a calming and engaging experience for users. Do not be surprised if it pops up as the "Add to Cart" button color on some e-commerce platforms, moving away from being pushy and favoring a friendly gesture.
Every designer in the world is part of the movement connecting the world to its feelings (while staying out of the spotlight).
Go live in color.✌️
