# Pantone-spiration Proprietary colors dictate more than just paint and fabric. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Mar 31, 2012 | Category: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/modern-art-and-design-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/pantone-spiration ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.1/10 - Evidence articles: 10 ## What is the Pantone-spiration trend? **Pantone-spiration:** While most people associate Pantone with only paint and fabric swatches, the company's Pantone Color Matching System is beginning to influence much more that that. Designers everywhere are using Pantone hues and its recognizable paint swatch as a branding tool. Everything from cell phone cases and candles to liquor labels and Christmas ornaments are being inspired by Pantone swatches, showing just how much influence the company's color system can have over completely disparate products and industries. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 10 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 13, 2011 to Mar 8, 2012 - Published: Mar 31, 2012 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Pantone-spiration trend ### Color Swatch Branding Pantone's color matching system is being used by designers as a branding tool on non-paint/fabric products. ### Customizable Color Goods Pantone Universe product lines are allowing consumers to customize the colors of their accessories, from glasses to flash drives. ### Minimalist Color Packaging Anagrama's Toscatti packaging uses simple Pantone chip-inspired labels for easy color coding and intuitive shelf identification. ## What the Pantone-spiration trend means for industry ### For Design Designers are using Pantone's color matching system beyond traditional paint and fabric, creating opportunities for new branding strategies and product inspirations. ### For Consumer Goods The Pantone Universe brand offers a variety of customizable accessories, providing unique and personalized consumer experiences. ### For Packaging Pantone's recognizable color chip system provides opportunities for simple and eye-catching packaging designs that allow for easy shelf identification and consumer recognition. ## Trend signals for Pantone-spiration Trend score 5.1 out of 10, from popularity 77%, activity 67%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 77% - Activity: 67% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Pantone-spiration trend 10 featured examples from Apr 13, 2011 to Mar 8, 2012. - [Pantone Chip Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toscatti): The Toscatti Packaging is Categorized by Color for Customer Convenience (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Applying color coding and minimalist design to kitchenware products. - [Colorful Chameleon Eyewear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rock-the-block-changeable-color-blocking-eyewear-by-pantone-universe): The Pantone Universe Eyewear Collection Has Options for Any Outfit (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Disruption in the eyewear industry by incorporating color-blocking and easy-to-change frames. - [Paint Chip Luminaries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pantone-universe-candles): Pantone Universe Candles Infuse Favorite Shades with Light (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The use of unique and playful design elements in home decor items, such as these paint chip inspired candles, could indicate a trend towards more niche and personalized home decor… - [Pantone-Inspired Food Photos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/choose-your-color): Emilie Guelpa's Choose Your Color Series is Delicious (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for food and beverage businesses to differentiate themselves by incorporating colorful and visually appealing presentations. - [Color Chip Cases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pantone-universe-ipod-touch): The Pantone Universe iPod Touch by Case Scenario is Cute and Simple (Category: Tech) Implication: Scope for manufacturers to produce a wide range of stylish cases, covers, and accessories for popular electronic devices. - [Alcoholic Pantone Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warm-red-pantone): Designers Anonymous Created the ‘Warm Red' Pantone Gift (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore innovative ways to incorporate design principles into various industries and products beyond traditional graphic design applications. - [Chromatic Grad Caps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pantone-chip-mortarboards): Cal Poly Pomona Graphic Design Grads Don Pantone Chip Mortarboards (Category: Social Good) Implication: The trend of personalized graduation caps presents an opportunity for educational institutions to offer customization workshops or partner with companies to provide graduation cap… - [Paint Chip Ornaments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pantone-xmas-ball): The Pantone Xmas Ball is Perfect for the Contemporary Home (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Opportunity for home decor companies to develop a line of contemporary Christmas decorations. - [Color Swatch Liquor Labels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plural-wine-packaging): Plural Wine Packaging Flaunts the Flavor of Color (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for wineries and distilleries to leverage color-centric packaging to differentiate their products and engage consumers on an emotional level. - [Customized Prismatic Information Holders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pantone-flash-drives): Pantone Flash Drives Comes in a Range of Vibrant Colors (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Companies in the tech accessories industry can cater to the trend of customization and self-expression with colorful products like Pantone flash drives. ## Recent trend clusters - [Sensory Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sensory-packaging) (Art & Design) - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Autumn Teasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autumn-teasers) (Business) ## Trending in Art & Design - [Fruit-Inspired Cleaning Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vilada-punch) - [Electrically Powered Airline Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-economy-seat) - [Textural Furniture Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fall-designs-blu-dot) - [Recycled Neon Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/encore-encore) All articles: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign)