At Swan Creative, we know that design trends are more than just fleeting aesthetics – they’re a gateway to storytelling that connects brands with their audiences in meaningful ways. This year the spotlight is on Mocha Mousse (PANTONE 17-1230), Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year. The colour represents a design movement grounded in indulgence, sophistication, and a sense of stability.
Why Mocha Mousse Matters
Pantone’s Mocha Mousse is a soft, mid-brown with warm taupe undertones, evoking the sensory pleasure of coffee, chocolate, and cacao. Its versatility makes it a powerhouse for design, offering a luxurious yet approachable aesthetic.
According to Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Colour Institute, Mocha Mousse reflects a collective yearning for comfort and indulgence of life’s simple pleasures. She describes it as having ‘inherent richness, sensorial and comforting warmth,’ a perfect match for brands looking to connect meaningfully to their audiences. A question we wanted to ask ourselves, is it time to break traditions when it comes to selecting just one colour to represent an entire calendar year? Pantone has been selecting a Colour of the Year since 2000, making 2025 the 26th year of this designer’s guild. The tradition of selecting one Pantone Colour of the Year has long been a guiding light for design trends, providing a unifying focus for creativity across industries. However, as the design world becomes increasingly complex and multifaceted, there is a compelling case for evolving this approach. Moving toward a colour system of the year, featuring multiple hues or complementary palettes, could offer a richer source of inspiration and greater versatility for designers.
Why stop at one colour? How leveraging a palette selection can aid the Mocha Mousse effect in the creative space
A single colour can be impactful, but it might not always capture the depth and diversity of modern design needs. A curated palette would allow designers to explore colour blocking, gradients, and multi-tone aesthetics, reflecting the layered trends we see today. It also makes the guidance more inclusive, catering to different industries and cultural contexts.
In digital design, Mocha Mousse brings both depth and adaptability:
- Warmth Meets Sophistication
As a background or accent, it creates a comforting yet contemporary feel that draws audiences in. - Enhanced User Experience
Earthy tones pair seamlessly with crisp whites or dark espresso hues, striking balance between elegance and accessibility.
For brands seeking a fresh, engaging online presence, Mocha Mousse-inspired palettes can convey stability, indulgence and modernity that today’s customers crave.
Expanding to a palette would also be more practical. In web design, it could support variations for light and dark modes, while in print, it would allow for layered storytelling or dynamic contrasts.
At Swan, we believe it is time to rethink the concept altogether. Letting 2026 lead with a Pantone Palette of the Year could encourage greater innovation and collaboration, reflecting the complexity and diversity of the design world today. Let Swan Creative show you how to infuse your brand with creativity and relevance- with best practices such as selecting the right colours palettes and tones for your brand. Contact us today to start the conversation.
In the spotlight: Dash, Leigh on Sea
Here at Swan, we believe in using colours that resonate deeply with a brand’s services and products. Mocha Mousse is a natural fit for someone like Dash – our wonderful new client, who run two speciality coffee shops in the heart of Leigh-on-Sea. Our creativity and approach are all about taking inspiration from what is happening in the design world such as Pantone’s Colour of the Year and looking for avenues to be able to implement strategies that resonate with real world influences. We seek to not only elevate Dash campaigns but truly defining them to reach their full potential.
How Swan Creative can help
At Swan Creative, we don’t just follow trends; we tailor them to elevate our clients’ brands. By integrating timeless trends into bespoke designs, we help businesses stand out in their markets. From crafting user-friendly websites to building cohesive brand identities, Swan Creative ensures every client, like Dash, achieves a design that feels modern, relevant, and true to their story. Speak to our team today and let us inspire you with our brand level thinking and strategy.
Contact Us
