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Release Notes: May 2021

It’s time for the new release!

Today we have deployed the final release of Spring 2021. I want to recap some major new features introduced in the past three months.
Barcode scanner – available for Lite and Pro users, allows verifying the barcodes on your designs.

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Why Design Is So Important

¡Buenas noches!

I am writing this article at night. Thus, please prepare yourself: there’s a slight possibility I will be a bit gibberish, but I’ll surely do my best to get the point across 🙂

Creative Talks: Being Formally Trained or Self-Taught Artist, Part 2

Have you ever wondered if you’ve chosen the right path in life? I certainly have! But the other thing that makes me question my career even more is what if I’ve gone to art school instead of learning everything on my own.

Creative Talks: Being Formally Trained or Self-Taught Artist, Part 1

I know a lot of people who would like to be the next Van Gogh or Ethel Reed. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be artistic, accomplished, and influential? Another common thing between these artists is that they are self-taught, which shows that formal education is not always the path to success. That’s why a lot of young people wonder what way to choose: go to art school or study on their own.

Color Harmonies and Best Color Combinations

Hey there!

Imagine you have a great graphic design project in mind or a stunning illustration idea. Everything works out lovely; the client liked the concept, you’ve done and approved a sketch, and you’ve started to work more in detail on the project.

Release Notes: April 2021

April update is online!

Last month we focused on adding the new functionality to Approval Studio – we introduced the Barcode reader and the Spellchecker features. This month we decided to work a bit on cosmetic changes of Approval Studio Lite.

What are the Skills to Include in Designer’s Portfolio?

What is the first thing that you think of when someone says “This designer has the ultimate skills”?

How CD Projekt Red Marketed Cyberpunk 2077

I prefer Ghost of Tsushima 🙂 Everyone does if we are talking about game dev and finished products. However, this does not mean Cyberpunk 2077 becomes less popular, breakthrough, “nextgenned”, hyped, or any other epithet you want to use. The situation is similar to Ballon d’Or ceremonies: there is Wesley Sneijder, but Messi wins (pointless sports reference, nevermind).

How to Understand Color Theory for Designers

Color theory has proven to be one of the most complicated and tangled things to learn. What makes it so complex is the mixture of science and art seasoned with a sprinkle of traditions that makes the whole thing even harder to fully understand. It’s common to get trapped in the rabbit hole of searching for the correct information and end up reading the color studies for several hours. This is literally what has happened to me.

Release Notes: March 2021

Please welcome the first Approval Studio update of Spring 2021.

This March, we introduce two new features available in Lite and Pro packages. This release is totally inspired by our users, who sent us requests and suggestions on what else they would want to have in Approval Studio.

7 Project Management Trends for 2021

Trends articles are always interesting to write – they kinda tell you a story of different industries, leaving just enough room for predictions. What will the industry be like this year and what will people bring to it? Will it change radically within several months or will it continue to move slowly but surely in the same direction it has been moving before?

How to Review Video in Approval Studio

You asked so many times for a video review, so we decided it would be the best way to start a year! We have already introduced support for MP4 files, and you can now proof video content. Is our video review tool free for use? Sure! Moreover, as it is currently in beta stage, we would be happy to get any feedback.

How To Upset Your Designer: An Ultimate Not-To-Do List

Hi there!

The design industry like any other has its own dos and don’ts. Usually, the don’ts are the reason for missed deadlines, unpaid invoices, or troubled relationships. So, in this month’s Creative Talks, we choose to present you with a not-to-do list and the ways to transform it into a to-do one. To make it even more true to reality, we’ve asked the designers themselves to tell us more about their troubles and challenges while working with a customer or in a design team.

Every Pantone Color of the Year in Color Palettes

2021 is here! The New Year brings a fresh start, a handful of motivation, and a list of unrealistic resolutions. However, in the creative industry, New Year also means a new Pantone Color of the Year announcement from the Pantone Color Institute.

Every year, starting from 2000, Pantone has been choosing a color of the year to predict a general representation of the upcoming year. Now, it’s a true trendsetting event that involves not only a humble color of the year announcement but also a large number of press releases and cross-industry collaborations.

How do Pantone experts pick the color of the year? Actually, there is a two-sided approach: observing the rising industry trends and choosing “what is needed in our world today”. If the second part is quite self-explanatory and based on the general state of the world, the first one might be quite confusing. We know that Pantone color of the year influences the creative industry trends and a lot of businesses actually wait until the color release before launching their new products in order to be up-to-date. However, Pantone Color Institute observes the colors in real life for some time beforehand to determine which colors are becoming more naturally in demand. In this way, Pantone experts don’t just choose any artificially trendy color. They, as a matter of fact, boost the color popularity that is already increasing.

After the 2021 color of the year announcement, we thought that maybe putting over 2 decades of colors to use would be a fun project to do. And what a better way to use color than to visualize it in pictures and create color palettes from them! By doing this, we can actually see the color “in the wild” and how it has been used by the artists, as well as apply the handy color palettes to your work. To make using the following color combinations even easier for you, we have transformed them into ASE Color Swatches. They are available for download as a bundle completely for free at the end of this article.

Now, let’s dive into the Pantone color of the year archive from the very beginning!

2000: Cerulean

Pantone 15-4020 I #9BB7D4

The first-ever color of the year became the pale light blue Cerulean that was also called the “color of the millennium.” It was chosen to bring a sense of tranquility and peace to the whole new era. As you will be able to see, there are quite a few blue shades and hues in this color of the year overview.

Cerulean color palette | Photo by Pierre Châtel-Innocenti

2001: Fuchsia Rose

Pantone 17-2031 | #C74375

Right after the blue calmness, Pantone experts brought the opposite into 2001. Fuchsia Rose is a sleek pink color that can be viewed as delicate and glowing but not as still as Cerulean.

Fuchsia Rose color palette | Photo by Raspopova Marina

2002: True Red

Pantone 19-1664 | #BF1932

“Let’s bring up the intensity!” – this is what Pantone Color Institute might have thought when choosing daring True Red as the color of 2002. Indeed, dark red represents recklessness and boldness, and it is as strong as any other classic color.

True Red color palette | Photo by Chris Adams

2003: Aqua Sky

Pantone 14-4811 | #7BC4C4

Pantone did a 180 by choosing an Aqua Sky for 2003. A cool shade of the blue-green color represents serenity and clearness. Actually, Pantone experts were maintaining a proper balance between reds and blues during these 4 years.

Aqua Sky color palette | Photo by Linus Nylund

2004: Tigerlily

Pantone 17-1456 | #E2583E

Being influenced by the gorgeous flower called Tigerlily, Pantone struck again with the warm hue. 2004 was meant to be passionate, exotic, and luminous, just like the blooming flower.

Tigerlily color palette | Photo by Marek Piwnicki

2005: Blue Turquoise

Pantone 15-5217 | #53B0AE

The traditional color of the dream sea. Maybe Pantone Color Institute workers desperately wanted to go on a vacation somewhere nice. I think we can all agree that Blue Turquoise was a kind wish for everyone to be calm and well-rested in 2005.

Blue Turquoise color palette | Photo by Bogdan Dada

2006: Sand Dollar

Pantone 13-1106 | #DECDBE

Even though the color of 2006 can remind us of mesmerizing deserts and beaches, it has an underlined meaning to it. 2006 was the year of the subprime mortgage crisis in the USA, and Sand Dollar was an appropriate representation of the economy back then.

Sand Dollar color palette | Photo by Tomas Eidsvold

2007: Chili Pepper

Pantone 19-1557 | #9B1B30

I wonder if the Pantone was under the influence of the Red Hot Chili Pepper band back in 2007… Just like their songs, the color of deep red is adventurous, spicy, and expressive. Chilly Pepper is also a statement color that could represent personal or national ambitions.

Chili Pepper color palette | Photo by Obi Onyeador

2008: Blue Iris

Pantone 18-3943 | #5A5B9F

Blue Iris combines two important colors: the calming blue and the mystical purple. Pantone might have thought that it made a wonderful mixture for providing the needed reassurance and excitement in a fast-paced world.

Blue Iris color palette | Artwork by Jr Korpa

2009: Mimosa

Pantone 14-0848 | #F0C05A

The first yellow color of the year perfectly fits 2009 – Mimosa sparks optimism and encouragement. With another complicated economic situation, Pantone wanted to give a little hope to everyone.

Mimosa color palette | Photo by Matthias Oberholzer

2010: Turquoise

Pantone 15-5519 | #45B5AA | Pantone Announcement

Turquoise is a younger sister of the 2005 Blue Turquoise color. With a deeper greenish tint, the color of 2010 provides a tropical escape for people. Turquoise is also considered a universally healing color as well as a protective talisman.

Turquoise color palette | Artwork by Jr Korpa

2011: Honeysuckle

Pantone 18-2120 | #D94F70 | Pantone Announcement

Pantone chose Honeysuckle as the color of 2011 for its encouraging and uplifting qualities. A perfect choice to battle the sadness. Also, this dynamic reddish pink can be reminiscent of cheerful summer days.

Honeysuckle color palette | Photo by Beasty Design

2012: Tangerine Tango

Pantone 17-1463 | #DD4124 | Pantone Announcement

A passionate orange hue as the color of 2012 was meant to continue the encouraging mood of 2011. Tangerine Tango provides a vibrant and radiating feel that helps start the new year with the full battery of enthusiasm.

Tangerine Tango color palette | Photo by Rafael Cerqueira

2013: Emerald

Pantone 17-5641 | #009473 | Pantone Announcement

The color of 2013 became a luscious green called Emerald. It was chosen to maintain a healthy balance and harmony in the upcoming year. Emerald is rich and indulgently sophisticated, just like the well-known gemstone.

Emerald color palette | Photo by Annie Spratt

2014: Radiant Orchid

Pantone 18-3224 | #B163A3 | Pantone Announcement

Pantone experts started 2014 with an expressive boost of energy. Combining both cool and warm undertones, Radiant Orchid strikes as a confident and hospitable color. At the same time, the exotic purple is not at all overpowering.

Radiant Orchid color palette | Photo by Eduardo Cano

2015: Marsala

Pantone 18-1438 | #955251 | Pantone Announcement

The fulfilling earthy tone of robust color seemed a clear solution for 2015. It encourages us to step back and enrich our bodies and souls. Marsala represents a nurturing base for creativity and experimentation and a glass of fortified wine with underlying hints of luxury.

Marsala color palette | Photo by Jene Yeo

2016: Serenity & Rose Quartz

Pantone 15-3913 | #92A8D1 & Pantone 13-1520 | #F7CAC9 | Pantone Announcement

In 2016, Pantone presented us with the first-ever mixture of two colors: the airy blue and the gentle pink. The blending of the Serenity and Rose Quartz was meant to depict the fluidity of opposites and their inner connection to remove the gender stereotypes.

Serenity & Rose Quartz color palette | Photo by Diego Hernandez

2017: Greenery

Pantone 15-0343 | #88B04B | Pantone Announcement

A rejuvenating green was an obvious response to a growing technological obsession of society. Greenery illustrated the new beginning and the human need for nature and the great beyond outside. The need to rest, take a deep breath, and reflect.

Greenery color palette | Photo by Flummox Raccoon

And that was not the only awesome thing to happen in 2017, of course. In that year of growing technologies, we established Approval Studio. If you are new here, Approval Studio is an online proofing software for designers and creative agencies. It provides all the great tools for fast and painless design approval: on-image annotation, comparison modes, task tracking, and so much more. If you want to make sure you’ve got your colors right according to the client’s requirements – it is a tool just for you.

2018: Ultra Violet

Pantone 18-3838 | #5F4B8B | Pantone Announcement

Ultra Violet symbolizes all things mysterious and inventive. In 2018, when the world desperately wanted to explore new horizons, Pantone chose dark purple to promote self-expression, ingenuity, and mindfulness.

Ultra Violet color palette | Photo by Adam Gonzales

2019: Living Coral

Pantone 16-1546 | #FF6F61 | Pantone Announcement

With the rising attention to social media, Pantone experts bring another warm pink color into the family. Living Coral expresses both soothing comfort and stimulating energy – two aspects that social media’s presence used to have in our lives.

Living Coral color palette | Photo by Gwen Weustink

2020: Classic Blue

Pantone 19-4052 | #0F4C81 | Pantone Announcement

Pantone started a brand new decade with the rich dark blue hue. Classic Blue sparks confidence, peacefulness, and reflection. A dependable foundation for building resilience and strength in 2020. Well, the world definitely did slow down in 2020, so that was a true prophecy.

Classic Blue color palette | Photo by Fabrizio Conti