Psychology of Color

1. Psychology of Color By Michael Fluharty

2. Why use color? • Color is a necessary and meaningful constant for sighted people. • It is used as a powerful psychological tool in every area of society. • i.e. Campbell's soup

3. Psychology of Black • Black is a serious color that evokes strong emotions • Black is the color of authority, power, stability, strength, and intelligence. • (i.e. Black horn rimmed glasses.) • Black is also synonymous with evil or grieving • (i.e. A black cowboy hat)

4. Psychology of White • For most of the world this is the color associated with purity and cleanliness. • (i.e. Wedding dresses or doctors coats) • It is also used to project the absence of color, or neutrality. • It is a compression of all the colors of the spectrum.

5. Psychology of Gray • Gray is most associated with the practical, timeless, middle-of-the-road, solid things in life. • Too much gray invokes no emotion. • Some shades of gray are associated with old age, death, taxes, depression or a lost sense of direction. 

6. Psychology of Red • Red is often the first color the eye will be drawn too. • Red is the color of energy, and is associated with movement and excitement.  • Red is the symbol of life. • Pink is the most calming of all the colors.

7. Psychology of Blue • Ask people their favorite color and a clear majority will say blue. • Most shades of blue actually cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming. • Over the ages blue has become associated with steadfastness, dependability, wisdom and loyalty. • Studies show sports are enhanced by blue. • (i.e. more reps in the gym)

8. Psychology of Green • Green has many meanings. • The color of growth, nature, and money. • It can also be associated with envy, good luck, generosity and fertility. • (i.e. Green with envy.) • It is the traditional color of peace, harmony, comfortable nurturing, support and well paced energy.

9. Psychology of Yellow • Yellow is associated with laughter, happiness and good times. • Brain releases more serotonin when surrounded by yellow. • Yellow can be quickly overpowering if over-used. • Some shades of yellow are associated with cowardice. • (i.e. Yellow bellied.)

10. Psychology of Orange • Orange is the color associated with fun times, happy and energetic days, warmth and organic products. • It is also associated with ambition.

11. Psychology of Purple • Purple is a royal color that is associated with wealth, prosperity, rich sophistication.  • This color stimulates the brain activity used in problem solving. • If used in the proper amount, it lends an air of mystery, wisdom, and respect. 

12. Psychology of Brown • This color is most associated with reliability, stability, and friendship. • It's the color of the earth itself . • (i.e. “Terra Firma”) • It too is associated with things being natural or organic.  • In India it is the color of mourning.

13. How to use colors together • But how should one use colors together? • There a couple of schemes used to invoke feeling. • Monochromatic, Complimentary, and Triple color schemes.

14. Monochromatic Color Scheme • This is the use of a single color in varying shades.

15. Complimentary Color Scheme • This scheme uses a high contrast of color by selecting colors directly opposite from one another on the color wheel . • This puts a warm color with a cool color and is pleasing to the eye.

16. Triple Color Scheme • This scheme uses three colors equally spaced from each other around a color wheel.

17. Conclusion • Color is essential in displaying thoughts and ides. • It helps keep people interested and thoughtful. • We would have no joy in life if there were no color.

18. Questions?