Tag Archives: color palettes

Stack of white papers with edge of one red sheet showing

The Power of Almost Nothing

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Earlier this winter, I mentioned how much I’ve been noticing neutrals — how much nuance they hold if you slow down long enough to see it.

Now Pantone® has named Cloud Dancer the 2026 Color of the Year — a soft, almost-white meant to offer calm in a noisy world.

It’s a bold choice. Choosing something this close to “nothing” says a lot.

I understand the appeal of quiet. And yet, I’m instinctively drawn to color — even the smallest element can inject a note of energy.

Neutrals can feel luminous. But they can also fall flat if the content underneath isn’t strong.

If you’re considering a lighter direction this year, here are a few ways to make it feel intentional rather than empty:

• Let the message carry weight. When you’re working with a restrained palette, clear positioning, strong headlines, and confident language become even more important.

• Support the message with imagery. Thoughtful photography and subtle tonal variation keep a neutral palette from feeling flat.

• Use color sparingly but purposefully. A small accent — a rule, a callout, a single image — can energize the whole piece.

And if you’re craving calm, Pantone has released the usual collection of Cloud Dancer products — notebooks, Post-its, even Play-Doh — all in what is, essentially, white.

What a Snowy Morning Taught Me About Color Palettes and Visual Design

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Neutral winter street scene in Richmond with warm and cool tones, shown alongside a custom five-color palette used for visual design inspiration.

Design inspiration often appears in the most ordinary moments—especially when you pay attention to color, texture, and contrast. Here’s how a neutral scene I came across this week revealed a few useful insights about color palettes and visual design.

Yesterday’s snowfall and gray light had me thinking about neutrals. While stopped at a traffic light downtown, I snapped a quick photo of a quiet, almost colorless scene. Even in that moment, there was plenty to notice: warm and cool tones playing against each other, subtle textures in the surfaces, and a tiny sliver of red adding a bit of energy. Neutrals don’t have to be boring—the closer you look, the more interesting they get.

When I got back to my desk, I pulled a five-color palette directly from that photo—four gentle neutrals and that unexpected pop of red. It’s always interesting to see what appears when you let the image guide the palette. Even a boring snapshot can reveal a balanced set of hues with depth, contrast, and personality. For designers, moments like these are a reminder that inspiration doesn’t always come from big, colorful scenes.

And now that Pantone has announced their (very neutral!) 2026 Color of the Year, it feels like the perfect time to appreciate what a restrained palette can do. It’s always interesting to see how these annual choices shift from year to year—if you want to take a look back, you can revisit my 2025 Color of the Year review of Mocha Mousse here.

You can read Pantone’s official announcement here as well.

If this has you thinking about design in your own world—your brand, your materials, or anything you’re planning for the new year—feel free to reach out. Thoughtful color can make a surprisingly big difference in your overall visual design.

And if you’re considering updates to your brand for 2026, even small palette refinements can help you tell a clearer story.

I’m always glad to talk through ideas or help you explore how color can support your goals for the new year.