Viva Magenta

Photos by Mark Leichty
Photo: ©Tatiana Belova | Adobestock

Pantone’s Color of the Year, Viva Magenta 18-1750, vibrates with vim and vigor, according to the world-renowned expert on color. Viva Magenta is a shade “rooted in nature descending from the red family and expressive of a new signal of strength,” the company announced in December. (Note: There are an abundance of flower and foliage colors that closely resemble Viva Magenta. The green industry should be able to capitalize on this selection.)

Technically, the color is a crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool.

Pantone also says that “Viva Magenta is brave and fearless, and a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative.”

“Invoking the forces of nature, PANTONE 18-1750 Viva Magenta galvanizes our spirit, helping us to build our inner strength,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a press release.

The color psychology

Reds are power colors that celebrate life. As a bright, crimson red, Viva Magenta balances boldness with a feeling of fun. “This dynamic mix exudes rebellion, but not at the expense of softness. It embodies an expression of fierce grace, inspiring us to show up with confidence and humanity,” the company explains.

Pantone adds, “Viva Magenta offers us the assurance and motivation we need to weather long-term disruptive events. Three years deep into a pandemic, facing a war, an unstable economy, social unrest, supply chain breakdowns, and mounting climate change, we need to heal. And still, we need to find the motivation to continue. Viva Magenta cloaks us in both power and grace, and sends us out into the world with the verve we’ve yearned for.”

Viva Magenta at home

“Daring designers can harness the full power of the Color of the Year as a velvet couch or lacquered wall. Those who desire a more neutral home can use it as a pop of color. As a sculptural Murano glass lighting fixture or striking ikebana floral arrangement punctuating an all-neutral dining room, or a glowing abstract canvas or NFT projection in a white entryway, Viva Magenta packs a lot of drama in a small dose.”