The color authority has teamed with sLABS on blockchain-enabled technology designed to enhance experiences in Web3 and foster connectivity.
Global color authority Pantone has announced a strategic partnership with Spatial Labs (sLABS) for their first wearable hardware product, LNQ. The blockchain-enabled technology, coined by sLABS as “the wearable internet,” was founded by digital architect Iddris Sandu and is backed by investment firm Marcy Venture Partners (MVP), co-founded by Shawn Carter (JAY-Z), Jay Brown, and Larry Marcus.
Acting as an entry point into the metaverse, LNQ will further enhance users' experiences in Web3 and foster connectivity through the intersection of technology, sustainability, culture, and fashion.
“We recognized a gap in the Web3 industry and took this as an opportunity to develop hardware that would equip users and creatives with the tools they need to create, engage, and share with their communities while bridging the physical and digital worlds like never before,” commented Iddris Sandu founder of sLABS and LNQ. “There are no words to describe how truly proud we are of the LNQ Enabled Hardware we’ve created and are excited for both our community and users to experience this world with us and our partners."
sLABS and Pantone partnership spans digital and physical integrations; they will also be collaborating on a limited-edition clothing release, with more details to be announced later.
Pantone also collaborated with sLABS to formulate a collection of six colors that reflected the brand's distinct identity. Rooted in connectivity and inspired by nature and biomimicry, the collection comprises a cosmic blue (PANTONE 2728 C), playful pink coral (PANTONE 709 C), faded lilac (PANTONE 2107 C), grounding burnt orange (PANTONE 17-1449), dramatic charcoal black (PANTONE 19-4104), and a quiet creamy beige (PANTONE 13-0400). Together, the set a strong foundation for future design.
"Ultimately, the goal was to curate a selection of colors that could serve as physical touchpoints in a virtual world; colors that could live comfortably in a commercial fashion environment while still retaining a curated element and approach,” explained Pantone Color Institute vice president Laurie Pressman. “Finding colors whose universal appeal could work and blur across gender norms and rules was critical, as was the desire for these colors to display a timeless and ageless quality.”
The partnership marks the latest of Pantone’s exploration of color across physical and digital properties like the metaverse. Its most recent exploration into the metaverse includes projects with multidisciplinary artist Polygon1993, involving the release of nine unique NFTs inspired by Color of the Year, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri. The company has restructured some of its products to enhance the design communities' workflow, including the September 2021 launch of Pantone Connect, which helps designers work seamlessly within the new hybrid environment.
"As we continue to explore the interoperability of physical and digital design within our products and services, it is important for us to work with partners who can provide real-world examples of how this digital future could be applied in practical ways,” added Pantone general manager and vice president Elley Cheng. “We are excited to partner with sLABS and leverage our products and solutions to further our mission to help the changing needs and workflow of our design community. We are just at the beginning of this exploration, and we look forward to what will be a long-term partnership with sLABS and our future in color accuracy and design solutions across all different mediums.”
Source: Pantone
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
