Pantone Inc. — famous for its Pantone Matching Systems — is the go-to company for color guides used by graphic designers, interior designers, printers and manufactures of paint, plastic and fabric.

Pantone Color of the Year for 2011 – Honeysuckle

Based on surveys of designers across a multiple of industries around the world, Pantone determines what color is “in” and will be found on clothing, furniture, accessories, and on our walls. This year the winner is Honeysuckle, a soft, almost retro pink.

Don’t let this rosy scenario fool you. Color is big business, and the Pantone Color of the Year is taken seriously. Just look at the 2011 Visa Platinum card to see how color carries over into the financial world.

And honeysuckle is not for women only. Men’s fashion is also sporting Honeysuckle pink, from pajamas to Tommy Bahama shirts.

So the next time you need to add color to a project, be brave and don’t shy away from pink honeysuckle.