This hue is inspired by the blue that defined IBM throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Built on Paul Rand’s modernist design system—most notably his striped IBM logotype finalized in 1972—the company unified its products, print materials, and environments around a dignified, authoritative blue that conveyed reliability and engineering precision. The IBM Graphic Design Guide (1969-1987) specified a rich azure tone (Pantone 285), chosen for its clarity, legibility, and strong contrast across print and computer hardware. This deep, confident blue helped cement IBM’s nickname, “Big Blue,” as both a brand identity and a cultural shorthand for technological strength.