A Palette for Unsteady Times – Evermore’s 2025 Color Palette
I remember when the world felt simple—when my biggest worry was being the first one out in dodgeball at recess, not what car my parents drove, whether I was a farm kid or a town kid, or who my friends were. We saw each other as humans first, at least for a while.
As we grew up, things changed. Childhood innocence gave way to the complications of growing older, where relationships came with unspoken rules and the urge to label and judge people. Fear of anything different sometimes led to hate. I realized that being kind is a choice—and often, a really brave one.
In business and in life, I’ve seen these patterns resurface: empathy met with suspicion, innovation met with resistance, and attempts to build connection met with indifference or even hostility. It’s a reminder that the playground never truly disappears; it just evolves. Yet, I’ve also learned that we don’t have to accept this as inevitable. We have the power to choose better.
I’m not sharing these reflections to dwell on challenges but to call attention to a broader truth: the world feels fractured. Across generations, politics, class lines, and local communities, we’ve grown quick to judge and slow to listen. It’s time to stop choosing sides and start building bridges.
Healing from this divide requires intention. That’s why, for 2025, I chose a quieter, more grounded palette—hues that remind us to slow down, listen harder, and see one another’s humanity before we jump to judgment. These are serious, layered tones that guide us back to what’s real and honest. They invite us to a place where we can connect authentically, without fear of misunderstanding or judgment.
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Deep hunter and forest greens set the foundation. They ground us, reconnecting us to what’s beneath our feet—our roots, our shared struggles, and the determination to keep growing even when the path is uncertain. Olive green adds a little reminder: that empathy can soften sharp edges. It’s our version of an olive branch, holding space for each other’s stories without rushing to judgment.
At the heart of this palette lie maroon and its lighter, fleshy counterpart. They speak to raw humanity—the tenderness we had before we learned how to cause pain. They acknowledge the scars we carry—childhood bullying that never fully faded… the whispers that broke us down when we needed building up. These tones call on us to heal by seeing each other for what we are—human.
A spark of periwinkle represents creativity and hope. It’s a reminder that fresh ideas and progress thrive when we open our minds, step into someone else’s shoes, and dare to see the world from their side. Slate gray adds weight and patience, acknowledging that trust isn’t rebuilt overnight, and understanding can’t be rushed.
Bright yellow is the oddball of the group, deliberately a little against the grain. Jessica and I felt it was important to include a color that stood out—almost awkwardly—against the rest. It’s there to remind us that even in times of division and fear, light finds its way through. It invites us to look for the human face behind the noise, to see the quiet strength in someone standing firm in uncertainty.
And finally, orange gold celebrates any step forward, no matter how modest. It’s the warmth of small wins: a respectful conversation, a shared laugh, the recognition that everyone is carrying burdens we can’t see.
Together, these colors encourage us to slow down and remember what used to matter—not who wins, but who shows up, who listens, who chooses understanding over judgment. It’s a palette that asks us to rethink what it means to be “grown-up.” Not colder, harder, more cynical, or more divided—but wiser, braver, and more willing to try again.
This palette isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a quiet call for healing. It acknowledges the fractures—political, personal, and everything in between—and the pain we’ve carried. These experiences shape us, and while they may hurt, they also remind us of our capacity for growth. They call us back to a place where kindness matters more than keeping score, where we can reflect not just on the actions of others but on our own shortcomings, too. These shades invite us to pause, see ourselves and others clearly, and believe in change—even for those who once caused harm. Despite everything, we can still choose empathy and root ourselves in something honest, real, and human—together.
-By Jodie Pundsack, Evermore Co. Partner and Creative Strategist
