American colour company Pantone has chosen "universal favourite" Classic Blue, or Pantone 19-4052, as its colour of the year for 2020.
Announced 4 December, the Classic Blue colour is described by Pantone as "a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection".
"Associated with the return of another day, this universal favourite is comfortably embraced," it added.
While this year's colour Living Coral was an "animating and life-affirming", 2020's shade "brings a sense of peace and tranquillity to the human spirit, offering refuge," according to the company.

The cobalt blue hue is also said to be associated with communication, introspection and clarity. Other benefits of the hue include aiding concentration and helping to re-centre thoughts, particularly in light of technology's accelerating developments. "A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color Institute.
"We are living in a time that requires trust and faith," she added. "It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on."

Pantone was founded in the 1950s as t...