Notes on Colour Theory…

RED

‘Pure red is the simplest colour, with no subtlety. It is stimulating, lively and friendly. At the same time, it can be perceived as demanding and aggressive. Although red coloured spaces have courage, strength, warmth, energy, basic survival, “fight or flight,” stimulation, masculinity…Defiance, aggression, visual impact, and strain are among the negative impacts of red colour.’

‘The Effects of Color on the Moods of College Students’

Sevinc Kurt, Kelechi Kingsley Osueke ...source

YELLOW

‘Yellow is thought of as joyful, outgoing, open, and friendly. Psychologically, yellow is the strongest color. In color-mood association studies, yellow is associated with comedy, a happy mood, and playfulness. Yellow ribbons have been used as a sign of hope and optimism since the nineteenth century’

Eiseman, L. (2006). Color: Messages and meanings—A Pantone color resource. Gloucester, MA: Hand Books Press Distributed by North Light Books. (p. 45).

GREEN

‘Multiple studies have shown that we can significantly ameliorate stress just by simply viewing natural scenes out of our apartment or office window, and in clinical settings, garden views from hospital beds have been shown to dramatically improve rates of patient satisfaction and recovery.’ (Ulrich, 2002; Cooper-Marcus, 1999; Whitehouse, 2001; Kaplan 2001).

Back to Nature: The Psychological Benefits of the Colour Green

‘Green Is Optimistic…Color influences not only our emotions but also our memories. One study presented people with a list of emotionally charged words written in different colors.11 They were then asked to recall specific words. They were more likely to recall positive words written in green, leading researchers to theorize that green carries more positive emotional connotations.’ ...source

BLUE (in particular turquoise)

‘With a hint of green, this blue combines the ‘growth’ properties of green with the nourishing qualities of blue. As a result, it’s an excellent colour for supporting your personal knowledge and self-cultivation. It is great as an accent colour in home studies offices or spaces where you like to read or meditate.’ ...source

ORANGE

‘Bright orange is a bold, vibrant color that conveys warmth, excitement and enthusiasm. It combines the energy of red with the cheerfulness of yellow, the two hues it sits between on the color wheel.

Bright orange has a number of associations. As orange is the shade of changing leaves, it’s often thought of as the colour of autumn…

In color psychology, orange is thought to uplift, encourage socializing and inspire productivity.’ ...source

PURPLE

‘Purple is also commonly associated with mysticism and magic. This color can be used to impart a sense of the unknown, of curiosity and mystery. Similarly, purple often inspires creativity. Having purple near you can spark new ideas, as well as the passion and fulfillment that may call out for them about in the first place. 

In another physiological sense, purple has a calming effect on the mind and body. While it is often uplifting and inspiring, the blue undertones also ensure a soothing effect is felt, lowering blood pressure and heart rate.’  ...source