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BIG COLOR Takes Each Pantone Color of the Year for a Gradient Spin

01.30.24 | By
BIG COLOR Takes Each Pantone Color of the Year for a Gradient Spin

Every December, we look forward to Pantone’s ongoing Color of the Year (COTY) announcement, an initiative dating back to 2000. Each hue decided upon considers various global factors and is meant to encompass what the overall feeling of the coming year may be.

In his BIG COLOR art print series, Nate Nettleton pairs each Color of the Year selection with its exact opposite on the color wheel in a radial gradient. The prints take into consideration the power of color, how we associate with it, and the influence that takes place within the world of color itself – in an effort to portray endless possibilities.

wall grid of framed gradient prints

Nettleton’s COTY print series begins with 2000’s Cerulean and ends with 2024’s Peach Fuzz. The edition number of each print correlates to the release year. For example, 2000 is edition one, since it marks the first color of the year, 2001 is edition two, and so on.

four image collage of framed gradient art prints

Clockwise from upper left: Cerulean, 2000; Fuchsia Rose, 2001; True Red, 2002; Aqua Sky, 2003

four image collage of framed gradient art prints

Clockwise from upper left: Tiger Lily, 2004; Blue Turquoise, 2005; Sand Dollar, 2006; Chili Pepper, 2007

four image collage of framed gradient art prints

Clockwise from upper left: Blue Iris, 2008; Mimosa, 2009; Turquoise, 2010; Honeysuckle, 2011

four image collage of framed gradient art prints

Clockwise from upper left: Tangerine Tango, 2012; Emerald, 2013; Radiant Orchid, 2014; Marsala, 2015

four image collage of framed gradient art prints

Clockwise from upper left: Rose Quartz, 2016; Serenity, 2016; Greenery, 2017; Ultra Violet, 2018

four image collage of framed gradient art prints

Clockwise from upper left: Living Coral, 2019; Classic Blue, 2020; Illuminating, 2021; Ultimate Grey, 2021

two image collage of framed gradient art prints

Left to right: Veri Peri, 2022; Viva Magenta, 2023

peach and dark blue gradient art print

Peach Fuzz, 2024

wall grid of framed gradient prints

wall grid of framed gradient prints with a man in a chair

Nate Nettleton

To learn more about BIG COLOR, visit natenettletonart.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.