AUSTIN (KXAN) — “A symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection.”
That’s how Pantone describes its Color of the Year for 2026: Cloud Dancer (11-4201). The color is a shade of white that “encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation,” the company said.
“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world … Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
“The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves,” Eiseman said. “A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences.”
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But not everyone sees Cloud Dancer as having the depth that Pantone does. On social media, critics of the color said they were somewhat underwhelmed, with some calling it “a swing and a miss” or “the absence of color.”…