Colours invoke feelings and convey emotions within your audience. Colours have such a big impact on our day to day decisions, so below is a quick rundown before you begin in choosing the right colour for your next project!
Connection Between Colour and Emotion
Colours are often affiliated with emotions, those of which can impact your decisions greatly. Before choosing the right colour for you, take a read below of their different meanings.
Red
Red is often associated with heat, fire, or blood- more generally speaking a strong feeling of passion and power. It can induce feelings of desire and strong emotions, confidence, warmth, or excitement. The colour red is perceived differently amongst different cultures:
- China; It is used for good luck, happiness and prosperity
- South Africa; colour of mourning
- In some countries, red is the traditional colour worn by brides
Because of its strong relevance in society, and powerful ability, red is used in the logos of famous brands such as Audi, Colgate, Canon, Red Bull, McDonald’s, Target, etc. It is also used in thousands of other famous retail, fast food, and machine industries.
Orange
Orange is usually associated with warmth and positive feelings of excitement and positivity. This colour invokes happiness and energy, often attracting attention right away. [traffic signs]. Orange can also be related to a sense of amusement or entertainment. Orange has a few shades that reflect various ideas
- Red- orange; passion, pleasure, desire
- Light orange; friendly and soothing
It can also create a feeling of refreshment and rejuvenation in our minds. Because of its hugging and warm presence, orange is used in the logos of famous brands such as, Fanta, MasterCard, JBL, Shell, Timberland, just to name a few.
Yellow
Yellow is often associated with happiness and warmth and catches the audience’s eye, as it is the most luminous colour on the spectrum. It is also known to increase concentration, perseverance, and optimism. It can also assist in promoting creativity and supporting enlightenment.
Yellow has a different significance in every culture, for example
- In some cultures, peace is represented by the colour yellow
- Japanese; yellow represents courage
- India; yellow is the colour of merchants
Due to these varying traits, a few famous brands with the colour yellow is Ikea, Post-it, Subway, Lays, etc.
Green
Green is most often associated with nature and a sense of renewal. However, digging deeper, green can be connected to feelings of relaxation, health, and soothing sensations. Furthermore, green can be associated with wealth, good health, and strong ambitions. Green has many shades, each which hold its own different meaning:
- Dark green; representative of ambition and wealth
- Olive green; traditional colour of peace
This is why green is used in the famous brands of; Spotify, Starbucks, Woolworths, TicTac, and Sprite just to name a few.
Blue
Blue is often associated with the positive effects it radiates to the body. It can also represent the meaning of loyalty, truthfulness, wisdom, confidence in oneself, and a strong sense of intelligence. However, make sure to note the type of blue you are using, as there are different meanings for different shades.
- Serene/ Sedate blues (commonly used)
- Electric/ Brilliant blues – engaging and powerful colour that implies exhilaration
Blue is perceived differently amongst different groups in society. For example, in many cultures, blue is significant as it is believed to bring peace and keep the bad spirits away. In Iran, blue is the colour of mourning while in the West the blue bridal tradition represents love.
Purple
Purple is a royal colour, usually being associated with royalty, nobility, power and ambition. It is also reflective of the wealth, extravagance, grandeur and devotion present within society. Purple has various effects on the mind and body, such as calming it down and increasing nurturing and sensitivity. There are different shades of purple, reflective of different things:
- Light purple; feminine colour, graceful and elegant
- Bright purple; riches and royalty
Pink
Pink is a fragile and delicate colour, representing cheerfulness, romance, feminine and tenderness. It is also the universal colour for love, reflecting friendship, connection, harmony and inner peace. While pink is the ‘official’ colour for girls, our modern day society is slowly growing out of this stereotype. Now, pink is being more regularly used in male clothing brands such as Champion. Gemstones which are pink in colour are placed in homes as they are believed to bring about serenity, relaxation, contentment as well as softening frustration.
Due to these traits, pink is used in the brands, Donut King, Cosmopolitan, Priceline, Victoria’s Secret and Airbnb, just to name a few.
Colours in Interior/Exterior Design
When designing the inside/ outside of a house or a building, choosing the right colour is one of the most important aspects. In order to be confident with your choices, having an understanding of the different colour meanings is vital.
For example, primary colours such as red, blue and yellow, especially when used together- create a bold and fierce appearance. As such, you will want to limit the surfaces with these colours. Perhaps, you paint the smaller areas, such as windowsills or doorframes with these primary colours.
With the colour orange, it can be used as an interior design colour if the aura of the room is that of positivity, happiness and acceptance. It also radiates a charming and welcoming feeling, perfect for waiting rooms or even classrooms!
The colours pink and purple are ‘softer’ colours, with their light hues perfect for the inside of quiet rooms, such as a nursery or consultation room. This is because the feelings associated with these colours are less fitting to the insides of a frantic and chaotic household.
Green is a colour heavily affiliated with nature and can be used to paint the interior of rooms to resonate with nature. Depending on the shade of green used, it can provide very different effects – some of which can stand out.
What do I do now?
Before choosing the right colour for your next project, you must ensure that the connection of colour is accounted for. That way, you can avoid any unnecessary drama with your project. From then, let the connected feelings grow!
