There are a lot of things around us that affect our lives in significant ways but somehow we fail to recognize them. For example – the way we sit and the way we eat has an impact on our body and health more than we realize. One such unusual thing is colors. Very few people know that the colors around us have a contribution to our lives. How we think, feel, and react is influenced by the colors around us.
There have been enough experiments to prove that the colors play a role in how we react or feel towards things. The study through which we link colors to our emotions is called Color Psychology. While not many people indulge in it, there are instances where the colors impacted a person’s behavior or emotions.
One thing to be kept in mind is, different colors are interpreted differently in different cultures. For example – The white color is associated with peace and purity in a particular culture while the same is a symbol of mourning in the other.
Every color has a different impact on our behavior. Sometimes, one color can have both a positive and a negative effect depending on each person.
To understand this better, let’s talk about each color and its effects in detail.
RED
Starting with primary colors, Red is a color we don’t see very often but it quickly gets our attention. It is associated with a feeling of aggression & passion. When used in moderation, it can invoke an emotion of strength, power, and determination. However, if used excessively it might trigger negative feelings like rage and anger. The person is more likely to recall bad past experience. This color can easily become dominant and overshadow the effect of other colors along with it. It also increases metabolism and raises blood pressure.
Suitable for:
- Great for a date.
- Some restaurants use red in their interiors as it is believed to increase the appetite.
- Red tends to grab people’s attention so it is often used for warning people of danger.
Not suitable for:
- For your first day at a job.
- If you’re into a creative space, red color is a big no for you as it blocks your creativity.
BLUE
Second Primary Color, Blue is a very stable color. It is associated with sky and water thus having a calm and soothing effect. It creates a feeling of calm, peace, and relaxation. Its effect is very positive both mentally and physically. Blue light also makes us more alert and awake. It is good for concentration and clear thought articulation.
Suitable for :
- Blue uniforms are more approachable than many other colors.
- Perfect for offices and meeting rooms as it boosts productivity.
- Good for workplaces that are drama-filled as it counteracts the tension and promotes clear communication.
Not Suitable for :
- Blue often can be conceived as cold, unfriendly, or lack of emotions.
YELLOW
Third Primary color, Yellow is a color of joy. It is known as the happiest color of all. As it is associated with the sun, it evokes a feeling of optimism and energy. It is also attention catching color like red. Yellow color boosts creativity and sharpens our memory. This color is also effective in uplifting and boosting our self-esteem. But when used excessively it can trigger fear or anxiety.
Suitable for:
- Good for creative spaces or offices for boosting creativity and brainstorming.
- Yellow is color blind safe i.e. people who are color blind can also see the color yellow, so it can be good for you to wear it around them.
- Correct tone can help in bringing happiness and joy in a dull environment.
Not suitable for:
- Wearing a color yellow might make the wearer look weak.
- A dull yellow can have a depressing effect.
GREEN
The fourth primary color, Green denotes freshness. It is associated with nature so it creates a feeling of harmony. Money and go signal of a traffic light is also linked with the color green evoking thoughts of health, safety & security. Green has a very refreshing and soothing effect on the body that is why people who spend more time in nature feel relaxed and happy. It is best to rest your eyes on when they’re tired.
Suitable for:
- Suitable for all spaces/
- Good for the packaging of plant-based or eco-friendly products.
Not suitable for:
- Incorrectly used, can be perceived as dull or bland.
- Can be confusing if used by brands not having values that promote eco-friendly products.
ORANGE
Orange is a combination of red & yellow. It is linked to feeling energetic and enthusiastic. Just like red, it is also an eye-catching color. While it can be used to boost energy and provide warmth, it is associated with Halloween in the U.S. So it can be considered dark or scary sometimes. Orange color is also linked to sunsets, autumn season, and the color of dying leaves thus leaving a refreshing yet soothing color.
Suitable for:
- Many Sports teams use orange color in their uniform as it makes you feel energetic.
- Traffic signs
- Advertising because it is an attention-grabbing color.
Not suitable for:
- Too much orange might not be the best color to wear in offices as it suggests immaturity and lack of intellectual knowledge.
PINK
Pink is a mix of red and white. It is mostly associated with love and romance. Also, it is stereotyped as a feminine color along with considered as a weak color but that is just the notion of the society. Being feminine does not have any relation to being weak. Pink color also has a calming effect and believed to evoke feelings of joy and creativity. It is also linked to innocence, hope, and optimism. It has been seen that different shades of pink evoke different moods and emotions relating to the person’s experience or memory with the color.
Suitable for:
- Business logos in pink color promote women empowerment or describe the business as owned by women.
- Can be used in room walls to create a calming environment.
Not suitable for:
- Pink might not be the best color if the business, person, or brand wants to showcase authority & power.
GREY
Being a mix of black and white, grey is considered a dull color. While it is a very neutral color and does not evoke any strong feeling, it is related to a dull phase. It is quite suppressive and has some negative impact. The color grey is also linked to a feeling of loss, depression, or sadness. Creative people usually avoid the usage of grey in their lives.
Not suitable for:
- If you want to stand out and remain mixed in the crowd, grey is not the color for you.
BLACK
Black color as many people already know is known as a sign of sophistication, power, and elegance. It is often called a luxury color. It is also one of the most used colors, especially in business logos as it is easy to read and interpret. In terms of feelings, it is considered to evoke a feeling of sadness and mourning in western culture. In some cultures, it is linked to pure evil like witchcraft. Black is often used in clothing for its slimming effect which boosts confidence in some people.
Suitable for:
- Best for offices as it conveys a feeling of seriousness and superiority.
Not suitable for:
- If you’re going to attend a marriage or any auspicious ceremony, it is advisable to not wear black as it might have a negative impact on you and your image.
WHITE
White colors mean minimalism. It denotes peace, purity, simplicity, and many such positive emotions. In western culture, white is the color for brides, while in the Indian context, white is considered inauspicious for brides. White also has this negative impact such as cold, bland, and sterile. Hospital rooms are also mostly white to indicate sterility.
Suitable for:
- Rooms painted white seem more spacious and open than any colored rooms.
- White flowers are also considered as a symbol of purity at home.
Not suitable for:
- White can be bland and boring for creative spaces.
BROWN
Brown is a color for support. It makes people feel grounded as it is the color of the soil. It can often be linked to reliability and resilience. However, brown can trigger negative emotions too such as sadness and loneliness. It also suggests being old fashioned and rustic.
Suitable for:
- Brands can use the color brown to symbolize the experience and well-established network.
Not suitable for:
- The color brown can sometimes look very boring, dull, and is often linked with old age people. So if you want to look young, brown is not the color for you.
All these colors symbolize one or the other thing according to color psychology. One important thing to keep in mind is, not everyone will feel the impact of colors as they are. A person’s memories and experiences also play a huge part in how he or she feels around the color.
If you find this blog post useful and may have something to add, feel free to let me know in the comments section.
