The newest shade designated by global color authority Pantone is inspired by the little Despicable Me cartoon ‘Minions’. It’s an energizing new color to a Pantone spectrum that boasts tens of thousands of shades and colors, but ‘Minion Yellow’ is the first ever character-based color so far.
It’s an interesting idea in regards to marketing. Pantone provides color standards for the design and creative industries and gives advice on color trends, and now, it seems, they also take into account popular entertainment trends to mold into their expertise.
The new yellow will be added to the Fashion, Home and Interiors palette. Recent Pantone color trend research has concluded that there’s a desire for colors that are more vibrant and uplifting, and that certainly describes Minion Yellow.
It’s actually quite creative branding, given the worldwide popularity of the Minions in both Despicable Me and the prequel Minions movies, but it’ll be hard not to associate the color with the characters…maybe even after it’s in your living room.
That doesn’t stop Pantone executives from trying. Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute describes the new color in detail without taking into account the color’s mascot: “Just as the sun’s rays enliven us, PANTONE Minion Yellow is a color that heightens awareness and creates clarity, lighting the way to the intelligence, originality and the resourcefulness of an open mind – this is the color of hope, joy and optimism.”
That’s a lot of adjectives for one color! Optimism, certainly. Resourcefulness, I have no doubt; I’ve seen the movies. Intelligence, though, is not my first reaction to the monosyllabic, slapstick-but-adorable little sidekicks. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly not knocking the color or the marketing brilliance of the idea. The color speaks for itself. Minion Yellow might have a confusion of contexts, but, of course, that might not be an issue because the color is just so much fun.
