Planet Money

The color monopoly

28 snips
Jul 20, 2024
Discover the intriguing tale of Pantone, the powerhouse behind color standards in design, and how it gained its monopoly. Hear about the chaos caused when colors vanished from an artist's files due to corporate control. Delve into the challenges of color consistency in printing through personal stories, and explore the legal battles that secured Pantone's dominance. Meet Freetone, a free alternative rose to challenge this monopoly. Also, join the fun debate on what color could represent the show's identity!
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ANECDOTE

Van Gogh's Impact

  • Artist Stuart Semple was inspired to become an artist at age eight after seeing Van Gogh's Sunflowers.
  • The vibrant colors, especially the yellow, deeply moved him.
INSIGHT

Pantone as a Language

  • Pantone functions like a universal color language, enabling precise communication about specific shades.
  • Designers use Pantone codes (e.g., 249C) to ensure everyone understands the exact color.
ANECDOTE

The Blackening

  • When Pantone started charging for its digital color palettes, Stuart Semple's designs turned black.
  • Pantone's action affected many other artists and designers globally who used Adobe products.
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