When Pantone gave us the task of designing the Fashion, Home + Interiors Cotton Passport + Dualities Expansion Pack, the brief was straightforward: create packaging that serves as a professional tool while showcasing Pantone’s new colors and tones. For Ryan, Natalie, and me, this was an opportunity to push boundaries—not to create something functional, but to elevate the brand packaging experience into one that designers would genuinely treasure.

From the start, we knew this project had to cater to two essential needs. First, the packaging had to be practical for daily use, making it easy for designers to access and organize their color tools. Second, we wanted it to feel elevated—a product that transcended utility and became an object of pride. Our goal was to design something that wouldn’t live in a drawer but would find its way onto shelves and desktops as a collectible piece.

Our design process started with deep research into Pantone’s new moody earth tones, and airy pastels. Next was to explore how their tools were used by fashion, interior, and product designers, focusing on moments of inspiration and decision-making. This led to design decisions that blended durability with elegance, ensuring the product felt as timeless as the colors it represented.

Collaboration with our friends Tannese and Laurie at Pantone were key. They shared insights into their audience, and we combined those with our vision of what modern designers want. We focused on the idea of dualing colors, dark rocks and earth meeting a beautiful sunset. We loved an idea of having a window to see through to the book packaging to give you a different perspective on the design. Sliding the book out feels like a new tool every time.

When the expansion pack launched, the response from designers reaffirmed our approach. They appreciated not only its functionality but its collectibility, making it a product that inspires creativity and pride in equal measure. For us, we just wanted this project to be a testament to the power of thoughtful design.