Color Theory | The Psychology of Colors
As a design expert, I have always been fascinated by the the whole psychology of color. Chances are if you haven’t heard the term being used then today is your lucky day. I will discuss with you today the emotions that are evoked when an individual is presented with varying colors. You may not be aware of this, but Corporate America tends to utilize certain colors for a number of reasons. It is no wonder that anyone that is a design professional will keep color theory as their methodology.
With that said here is the breakdown of color theory:
Black
Black is considered a color of power, and in many cases, this color is also known to give a person the ability to appear thinner. This is the reason why businessmen will wear a black suit on the cover of a business magazine. Black is also associated with mystics, and Halloween.
White
White is associated with purity and innocence. This is one reason why brides wear a white dress for their marriage ceremony. This color is also symbolic of a sterile environment, the reason why medical professionals wear white when they are working with patients.
Red
Red is a color that is likened to an increase in an individuals heart rate. In business, if you are in the middle of negotiations try not to wear anything in this shade. This also includes red lipstick, for those women who prefer to sport this shade. This color is overpowering to many, and it can also cause one to lose trust in you. However, pink is considered romantic and tranquil. You may not be aware of this, but sports teams sometimes paint their opposing teams locker rooms in bright pink in order to gain an advantage. Baskin Robbins paints their store in pink because their vanilla ice cream tastes sweeter.
Blue
Blue is representative of a calming color and should be seen frequently. This color is also symbolic of loyalty. You may notice that many professionals typically wear this color to job interviews. A blue room increases productivity and work efficiency.
Green
This is the obvious choice that is symbolic of nature. Green also helps to calm the mind. It is the main reason why movie studios use a green screen, it helps to relax their subjects. Hospitals also use this color in their waiting rooms to alleviate stress.
Yellow
Yellow is by far an interesting color. If you tend to be forgetful, then you should consider using a yellow notepad as it helps to recall information quickly. However, if you are contemplating painting your room, stay away from this color. This shade will cause you and your loved one to consistently bicker with one another. On a lighter note, this color is associated with food. This is the sole reason why many fast-food restaurant chains use yellow in their logo. Here are a few examples: McDonalds, Taco Del Mar, Denny’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, Wendy’s, etc.
Purple
Purple is a color that signifies royalty. It is also a good reason why Taco Bell uses this color to present their product as bar none, as a very low price. This is also a feminine color that stimulates the mind of the opposite sex. Women sometimes wear this color on a first date, in order to attract the opposite sex.
Brown
The color that is associated with nature, is considered reliable. A lighter shade of brown is associated with logic and intelligence.
For further readings, I recommend the following books. They are all quick reads and go in-depth into color theory and its application.
Next time you are working on your assignment, use color theory to your advantage in order to motivate people to take your call to action.
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September 3rd, 2007 at 8:15 am
I have passed this post to my wife who is designing a web site for women. Hopefully it will help her pick the right colors. Thanks for the insights.
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:57 am
hey cameron, I appreciate you passing this post on. Let her know to feel free to contact me if she has any questions.
cheers
mitesh
November 11th, 2007 at 1:19 am
[...] You can read the full story here [...]
May 16th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Psychology of colors – the bedroom…
Color can have an astounding effect on perception, personal feelings, and even interactions. Different colors evoke different memories, and different ideas. In the bedroom, where one is supposed to be most at ease, it is important that you …
July 25th, 2008 at 7:47 am
I was wondering what color would be great for a craft room/ office. I need a color for creativity. I heard that peach is good for that but the shace bothered me so I don’t want to use that color. Any help would be really appreicated.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:29 am
Wait… What? How does purple paint on the tips make a plane lighter?
November 12th, 2009 at 5:32 am
thank you for the info — almost painted my dining room red -which would not have been good for hubby since he does a lot of work in there.
March 25th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
[...] planes’ tail tips purple so the plane would be “lighter”, but Mitesh’s color theory article touches upon a fascinating [...]
October 25th, 2010 at 9:54 pm
[...] on: October 26th, 2010 by admin No Comments Share Sometimes getting the right design requires a color theory approach. As designers we spent countless hours trying to establish the perfect color scheme. [...]
January 8th, 2011 at 12:04 am
Very informative post! Thanks!
June 21st, 2011 at 8:52 am
[...] *This list can of course be longer. It is important to note that these associations are not set in stone. Plus, there are more detailed studies of color the complexity of psychological responses. For further reading, please check out “Psychology of Colors”. [...]
August 14th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
[...] *This list can of course be longer. It is important to note that these associations are not set in stone. Plus, there are more detailed studies of color the complexity of psychological responses For further reading, please check out “Psychology of Colors”. [...]