Behind the Colors

“Color is huge! You can’t underestimate the impact color has on your audience. People are drawn to color in a way they aren’t to black and white line-art; we’re trained to think of color art as “finished”.”

- Carly Monardo: Animation Director, Illustrator, Actor, and Pantone Collaborator

“From the selection process to the context in which the color or color story appear, the material or surface to which the color is applied, and even more importantly our hopes and expectations of how people will react to those choices, there are so just many things to consider!”

- Laurie Pressman, VP, Pantone Color Institute

Color is a pivotal element of the design process and helps to convey the messages and meanings of your design, ensuring your audience experiences the full story and emotional impact.

Behind the Colors - Character Color Palette Messages and Meanings - Carly Monardo

Carly’s characters feature some of Pantone’s newest 294 trend-relevant colors for graphics and packaging design. She describes her character development and color selection strategy below:

“The team was developed with a balance of personalities and classic temperaments: choleric (short-tempered, fast, and irritable), melancholic (analytical, wise, and quiet), phlegmatic (relaxed, peaceful) and sanguine (enthusiastic, active, and social). These four archetypes naturally also subdivided into two different types: loud and quiet; extroverted and introverted, which made me think of complementary colors that would all look great together: orange, blue, yellow, and purple.

All of the characters are built around their main, thematic color — but because they are a team, they influence and grow on each other, which has lent itself to some intermingling and shared colors. The yellow of their team logo represents the energy and universality of the sun; these four different people are drawn to each other the same way the planets orbit the sun.

Enjoy! ”

The Character Palettes

Download and save these color palettes to consider as inspiration when creating your next design projects.

Kinetta

Brash, athletic, energetic, Kinetta wants to be seen as exciting and dynamic, while at the same time fearing that her oversized personality can push people away.

Her body suit is a bright but slightly peachy orange (PANTONE 4012 C) to include all of the vibrant connotations of the color with just a touch of softness. Her hair is dyed a lavender shade (PANTONE 4120 C) as a subconscious effort to be taken a little more seriously like her friend Stellknight. She incorporates the team’s yellow liberally throughout her costume as a show of team spirit.

Download Palette

StellKnight

She is strong, brave, analytical, a true soldier. Where Kinetta is helplessly emotive and open, Stellknight has a hard time expressing her emotions. Stellknight has the most monochromatic palette; she is unwilling to showcase too many aspects of her personality.

She is dressed in shades of noble purple (PANTONE 4122 C, PANTONE 4125 C), the darker shade hinting at her inscrutability. The yellow touches on her shoes and seaming speak for the love of her team, even if she has a hard time actually saying the words out loud.

Download Palette

Zephire

Zephire has a peaceful air about her, but is a very powerful warrior when she needs to be. Her flames are a mystical, metallic blue green (PANTONE 10285 C) as if they come from the sky or the sea.

Her blue garments (PANTONE 4157 C, PANTONE 317 C) show her spirituality and contemplative nature, while her mint green hair and lips (PANTONE 4162 C) have an element of folklore. She is a spirit of the earth, a goddess of nature.

Download Palette

Bash

Bash is the mischievous member of the group. He is cunning and quick, the human embodiment of a spark of lightning. He loves his teammates but he can be a little selfish, and he is afraid of being seen as vulnerable.

His metallic armor is a dark grey, almost black (PANTONE 10393 C); a cool, impenetrable shield for his heart. His bodysuit, conversely, is as loud as can be — an electric yellow, a symbol of the lightning he wields. His eyes are bright blue (PANTONE 2915 C), another nod to his energy and supernatural powers.

Download Palette

Carly Monardo is an artist living in Brooklyn, NY. She studied traditional animation at School of Visual Arts with her twin sister, Lauren, with whom she still works. Carly loves drawing in all forms, and has worked for television, film, games, print…anything she can get her hands on. She is also an actor and comedian and was a house performer at Magnet Theater for years, traveling across the country to participate in sketch and improv festivals. Some notable projects include: work on Venture Bros., Steven Universe, Blaze and the Monster Machines, voice over for The Truth, comics for Hulu and AV Club, and designs for the upcoming Birdgirl on Adult Swim. Look for her on the streets of the city waving at other people's dogs! www.carlymonardo.com

Own the new colors in the latest guides and chip books:

Shop Formula Guide

Shop Color Bridge

Shop Solid Chips

Shop All Graphics & Bundles

Was this page helpful?

Your feedback helps improve this site.

Yes No

Any other feedback?

Submit No Thanks

Thank you

We appreciate your feedback.