Pantone’s Color of the Year Reinforces the Sentiment That 2016 Needs to End Already

Pantone just announced its color of the year, a hopeful avocado-green that celebrates nature. This means you can expect to see a lot more of PANTONE 15-0343 springing to life over the next year in fashion, design, and technology.

Pantone describes Greenery as a “life-affirming shade… emblematic of the pursuit of personal passions and vitality.” It’s the color of spring, of new beginnings, of Granny Smith apples and of matcha green tea.

But this choice isn’t just about embracing nature. The selection is even a bit political. “Greenery bursts forth in 2017 to provide us with the reassurance we yearn for in a tumultuous social and political environment,” says color expert Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalize, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another, and larger purpose.”

While Greenery may seem like a bit of a surprise, it does align with the office design trend towards greener workspaces. Tech giants like Google and Apple have incorporated greenery into the design of their new office parks, boasting easy access to nature for employees. Countless studies have found that spending time in nature — or even just putting a plant on your desk — can significantly boost your creativity, productivity, and happiness. Airbnb is even partnering with Pantone to create a Color of the Year Experience, according to The New York Times. The collaboration will reportedly entail “transforming one of its listed properties into an immersive greenery environment.”

For the past 17 years, Pantone has announced a color of the year with great fanfare. To select the color, the institute has a top-secret team of color watchers who keep a close eye on what’s trending in culture, on runways, and in the design world.