Artist Discovers Color Loss Linked to Pantone's Dominance

In a surprising turn of events in 2022, artist Stuart Semple found all his digital designs mysteriously transformed to black, with colors vanishing from his Adobe files overnight. This incident raises questions about the control of color in the design industry, particularly focusing on Pantone, a company renowned for its Color of the Year forecasts and color reference guides that have become the industry standard. The episode delves into Pantone's history, tracing its evolution into a dominant force in color communication. The company’s reference guides are essential tools for designers, establishing a common language for color that is widely adopted across various creative fields. This monopoly over color terminology has significant implications for artists and designers, as it shapes how color is perceived and utilized in their work. Stuart Semple's experience highlights the challenges faced by creatives in an industry where a single entity holds substantial power over color representation. In an effort to counteract this monopoly, Semple has sought to promote alternative color systems and encourage a more diverse approach to color usage in design. The episode, hosted by Sam Yellowhorse Kesler and Jeff Guo, invites listeners to engage in the conversation by suggesting a color for Planet Money. Produced by Willa Rubin and edited by Jess Jiang, the show aims to explore the intricate relationship between color, creativity, and commercial influence in the design world.