The Psychology of Color

Color defines our world and gives definition to the objects around us. In nature you will find a greater variety of color than man can possibly create. The human reaction to color is based on natures symbolism but the human psyche is what interprets these colors and gives them meaning. Colors are usually divided into three primary colors red, yellow and blue. These are then accented by three secondary colors purple, green, and orange. The secondary colors can be create by combining the primary colors. This program is based on the Bourges system of color and is divide into four groups of colors (Reds, Yellows, Greens, and Blues) that encompass human psychological reactions.

Color Categories Reds Encompassing colors: Mauve, Pink, Crimson, Scarlet, and Bright Red. Reds convey charged emotions like anger, love, or passion. It is the flow of life through our veins. People notice red first. It is used to catch attention and give definition, like stop!. Yellows Encompassing colors: Coral, Orange, Amber, Gold, and Yellow. Yellows are simulating and can act like a warning. Lemon yellow is associated with sour. Yellow flames say, "don't touch", and the high contrast of yield signs immediately catch our attention. Like the sun yellows are uncomfortable to look at for an extended period of time. Greens Encompassing colors: Lime, Leaf Green, Sea Green, Emerald, and Teal. The human eye is most sensitive to greens. Humans see more shades of green than any other color. Greens represent life, like trees, grass, and plants, and give us a calm natural feeling. Blues Encompassing colors: Cyan, Sky blue, Dark Blue, Violet, and Purple. Blues are tranquil and cold. Blue is open and wide like the sky or deep and cold like a lake. Blue is a color of distance and is effectively used as a background color. A variety of color can be found on even one tree that give you definite clues to the time of year. Color Table Below each color is matched with a definition and psychological treatment. Color Name Definition Psychology Mauve Bold, Stylish, Impressive A city color that is cultured and classic. Pink Lovely, Sensitive,Feminine It abandons logic for sensitivity. Crimson Powerful, Aggressive It is threatening and demands attention. Scarlet Desirable, Believable, Friendly Dramatic yet warm like the holidays. Bright Red Dangerous, Exciting, Loud Warns of danger, a color of battle. Coral Wild, Fiery, Explosive This red and yellow mix make it feel out-of-control and very noticeable. Orange Tangy, Tart, Zesty Like juice it is a symbol nutrition, but it is also a warning color for hazards. Amber Mellow, Abundant, Fertile Comfortable yet distinctive like beer or wheat fields, it is also the color of expensive perfumes. Gold Rich, Sunny, Joyful A warm color like the sun or buttercups. It is also associated with power and age. Yellow Sour, Anxious, Sharp Like the taste of a lemon it can appear startling. Overuse of yellow can make the viewer uneasy. Lime Fresh, Naive, Clean A youthful color like the sprouting of young plants. Leaf Green Healthy, Natural, Secure Green is life, like life giving plants and nature. It is full of self confidence. Sea Green Mature, Strong, Restless It is wise and ancient like a mature forest of evergreen trees or the depths of the sea. Emerald Brilliant, Expensive, Eternal It is splendid like the jewel but is also tied to jealousy and is the color of poison. Teal Primitive, Intuitive, Ancient This color is strong and free like an eagle. It is used in Southwest design as turquoise. Cyan Analytical, Cold, Intelligent It is cold and direct to the point, without any distractions. A very articulate color. Sky Blue Calm, True, Honest It is philisophical and non threatening. It is a symbol of peace, tranquility and good will. Dark Blue Moving, Soulful, Compassionate This blue has heart and emotion like a blue mood or the music version "The Blues". Violet Serious, Thoughtful, Reflective A balance between red and blue this color represents meditative, soul searching thought. Purple Grand, Royal, Majestic It has a suggestion of excitement. In western society it was considered a royal color. Matching Exercise Based on the information above drag the florals to match them with their color attributes. You will find the authors answers at the bottom of the page. When you have completed this exercise try arranging the florals into a color wheel and then try matching them with their complimentary colors. For information about complimentary colors try the choosing a color pallette section. More Information To learn more about color try these sections... Color and Mood Contrasting Colors Choosing a Color Pallette For good reading on color try this reference link . Color Bytes by Jean Bourges. Answers to Exercises Matching Exercise Color Wheel Exercise Complimentary Colors Created by Wade Rollins