Colour is an essential tool because it has an impact on how we think and behave. Colour directs our eye where to look, what to do, and how to interpret something. It puts content into context. It helps us decide what’s important and what’s not. That’s why, you need to understand what colours mean to people.
While colour psychology has been studied and analysed over time, the psychological impact of colour is still moderately subjective.
We don’t all react the same way to colours, as we all have previous experiences with colours from significant events: cultures, people and memories. However, there are a few generalities about how people respond to colour.
The Colour Psychology of Red
Red is a very powerful, dynamic colour that reflects our physical needs whether to show affection and love, or to portray terror, fear and survival. Red is also a very energising colour that can portray friendliness and strength, but can also be demanding and show aggression depending on its context.
Overall, if you’re looking to have a really powerful presence or get someone’s attention fast, red is your go-to colour. Just remember to use it sparingly to avoid the extreme negative reactions it can so easily awaken.
Red is commonly seen: Signs and Valentine’s day.
The Colour Psychology of Orange
Orange has a very interesting psychological meaning as it combines red’s power and energy with yellow’s friendliness and fun. The mix makes orange a good representation of physical comfort in our warmth, food, and shelter.
Orange is also known to be a colour of motivation, lends a positive attitude, and general enthusiasm for life. Overall, orange is great for bringing comfort in tough times, and creating a sense of fun or freedom in your visuals.
Orange is commonly seen: Sporting events and board games.
Colour Psychology of Yellow
Yellow is the epitome of joy, happiness, cheerfulness, optimism – you name it. Anything happy is almost always yellow. The wavelength of yellow is particularly long, making it have one of the most powerful psychological meanings, while also being the easiest colour to visibly see.
Whenever you need to lift someone’s spirits, increase their confidence, or provide inspiration, use yellow. However, avoid using yellow too much because it’s also known to make us more critical causing self esteem issues, fear, or anxiety. Find the right balance of yellow to motivate rather than bring others down.
Yellow is commonly seen: Signs, smiley faces and window-front displays.
Colour Psychology of Green
Green is a colour of balance and harmony. It lends us a clearer sense of right from wrong since green incorporates a balance of both the logical and emotional. Green is one of the most-seen colours in nature reflecting life, rest and peace. It is also a sign of growth, whether that’s in a physical object like plants or in our income and wealth.
Overall, if you’re looking to portray health, rest, and to relieve stress, green is your colour. While green does have minor negative aspects like over-possession and materialism, it has a more positive affect than most other colours.
Green is commonly seen: Nature, economic exchange, health-based stores and restaurants.
Colour Psychology of Blue
Blue is known for its trust and dependability. It’s reliable, responsible, and mentally soothing. For that reason alone, it’s one of the most-liked colours across the entire world.
Unlike red, blue lends a more mental reaction rather than physical that allows us to de-stress, calm down and think of the most ideal situation. Unfortunately, it also is one of the last colours to be seen, and can be perceived as distant, cold, or unfriendly, if used it great amounts.
Overall, blue is a well-liked colour that can bring a sense of calmness and trust when building relationships, especially in marketing.
Blue is commonly seen: Workout facilities, hospitals and spas.
Colour Psychology of Purple
Purple is most commonly known for its imagination and spirituality. It possesses the energy and power of red, with the stability and reliability of blue, making it a perfect balance between the physical and spiritual. Purple is often used to show luxury, loyalty, courage, mystery and magic.
It’s a very intriguing colour as it soothes, but also presents space for mystery and new ideas. This is why creativity is most often associated with the colour purple. When using purple, avoid using it too often as it can also cause too much introspection or distraction as thoughts begin to wonder.
Purple is commonly seen: Fairy tales and luxury products.
Colour Psychology of Pink
Pink is a softer, less intense version of red that creates a sense of compassion and unconditional love. While it’s a very physical colour, it soothes rather than stimulates, making it a perfect colour for caring, understanding and nurturing those in need.
Pink is a sign of hope. It is also known to be very romantic as it shows empathy and sensitivity. If too much pink is used, it can be very draining, show a lack of power, and even immature. Overall, pink can be a great counter-option to the colour red when used appropriately.
Pink is commonly seen: Young children’s products and bathroom products.
Colour Psychology of Brown
Brown, while maybe not the most visual stimulating colour, is a great sign of structure, security and protection. Whether it’s family, friends, and material possessions, brown offers constant support.
It’s also a very serious, down to earth colour you can use where black might be too intense. The downfall to brown is that it’s the most safe colour and can seem reserved, scheduled, and boring. Overall, use it when necessary, but don’t depend on it too heavily.
Brown is commonly seen: Campgrounds, home furnishings and coffee shops.
Colour Psychology of Gold
Gold has quite a few different meanings depending on your culture. Across the world, though, gold consistently represents some variation of charm, confidence, luxury, and treasure. It also can have an element of friendliness, abundance, and prosperity that is naturally attractive. Too much gold, however, can seem egotistical, proud, and self-righteous. Similar to colours like brown and black, try to use gold more sparingly to highlight rather than be the main attraction.
Gold is commonly seen: Luxury products, rings and trophies.
Colour Psychology of Black
Black is a colour of sophistication, seriousness, control, and independence. Although, it can also be used to show evil, mystery, depression, and even death. Black is a very reserved colour that completely lacks any light as its an absence of all the colours. It likes to stay hidden, in control, and separate from others. For this reason, black is a great colour for high contrast and easy legibility. Unfortunately, since its a very powerful colour, too much black can cause sadness and overall negativity so use it sparingly and in your text more so than the visuals itself.
Black is commonly seen: Professional attire and luxury products.
Colour Psychology of White
White is colour that is complete and pure, making it a perfect example of purity, innocence, cleanliness, and peace. White can also represent new beginnings, providing a blank slate, and gives refreshment for new ideas. Since white has an equal balance of all the colours, it can exemplify several meanings, with equality outweighing them all. White is a great colour for simplicity, cleanliness, and idea creation; however, avoid using too much white as it can cause isolation, loneliness and emptiness.
White is commonly seen: Weddings, website backgrounds and doctor’s waiting rooms.
We hope you have found this information useful. If you would like to discuss your companies colours and branding, then please get in touch with us.
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