Colour Theory

Colours and emotional/psychological states:

RED:

Positive:

· Courage

· Strength

· Warmth

· Energy

· Stimulation

· Excitement

· Love

Negative:

· Anger

· Hatred

· Aggression

· Impact

· Strain

· Danger

· Impulsive

· Intimidation

· Violence

· Revenge

Effects:

· It has the longest wavelength and is a powerful colour

· Appears nearer than it is and therefor grabs viewer attention before any other colour

· Has a very physical effect – it stimulates us and raises the pulse rate, giving the impression that time is passing at a faster pace.

· It activates the fight or flight instinct.

BLUE:

Positive:

· Intelligence

· Communication

· Trust

· Efficiency

· Serenity/tranquility

· Logic

· Coolness

· Reflection

· Calm

· Patience

· Understanding

Negative:

· Coldness

· Unemotional

· Unfriendliness

· Depression

· Loneliness

Effects:

· It is the colour of the mind and is generally soothing

· Affects the viewer mentally rather than physically like the colour red

· It can at once calm and sooth the viewer or can bring about sadness in others.

· It appears further away than it really is, opening up the space

YELLOW:

Positive:

· Optimism

· Confidence

· Self-esteem

· Extraversion

· Emotional strength

· Friendliness

· Happiness/joy

· Creativity/imagination

Negative:

· Irrationality

· Fear

· Fragility

· Depression

· Anxiety

Effects:

· Has a long wavelength and is very emotionally stimulating

· It can lift your spirit

· The wrong shade of it however can give rise to fear, anxiety, depression.

GREEN:

Positive:

· Harmony

· Balance

· Refreshment

· Growth

· Rest

· Restoration

· Reassurance

· Awareness

· Peace

· Equilibrium

· Soothing

Negative:

· Envy

· Jealousy

· Greed

· Boredom

· Stagnation

· Blandness

Effects:

· Strikes the eye in such a way as to require no adjustment whatever and is, therefore, restful.

· The world contains plenty of green – indicates the presence of water, little danger of famine etc.

VIOLET:

Positive:

· Spiritual awareness

· Containment

· Vision

· Luxury

· Richness

· Authenticity

· Truth

· Quality

· Meditation

Negative:

· Introversion

· Decadence

· Suppression

· Inferiority OR superiority

Effects:

· Has the shortest wavelength and therefore associates with time, space and the cosmos

· Takes awareness to a higher level of thought

· The wrong tone communicates something cheap and nasty faster than any other colour

ORANGE:

Positive:

· Physical comfort

· Food

· Warmth

· Security

· Sensuality

· Passion

· Abundance

· Fun

Negative:

· Deprivation

· Frustration

· Immaturity

· Frivolity

Effects:

· Is stimulating and the reaction to it is a combination of physical and emotional

· Focuses our minds on issues of physical comfort and sensuality

PINK:

Positive:

· Physical tranquility

· Nurture

· Warmth

· Femininity

· Love

· Sexuality

· Survival

Negative:

· Inhibition

· Claustrophobia

· Emasculation

· Weakness

Effects:

· It affects us physically – usually it sooths us rather than stimulates us.

· Is a powerful colour psychologically

· Represents feminine principle and the survival of the species – it is nurturing and soothing.

· Too much pink can be physically draining and can be somewhat emasculating.

GREY:

Positive:

· Psychological neutrality

Negative:

· Lack of confidence

· Dampness

· Depression

· Hibernation

· Lack of energy

Effects:

· The only colour that has no dierect psychological properties.

· It is, however, quite suppressive.

· A virtual absence of colour is depressing and when the world turns grew we are instinctively conditioned to draw in and prepare for hibernation.

BLACK:

Positive:

· Sophistication

· Glamour

· Security

· Emotional safety

· Efficiency

· Substance

Negative:

· Oppression

· Coldness

· Menace

· Heaviness

· Fear

Effects:

· Black is all colours, totally absorbed

· It creates protective barrios, absorbs energy coming towards you and enshrouds the personality.

· It is essentially a lack of light, since no wavelengths are reflected and it can, therefore, be menacing.

· It can cause fear – many people are afraid of black, of the unseen, of shadows.

· It creates a perception of weight and seriousness.

WHITE:

Positive:

· Hygiene

· Sterility

· Clarity

· Purity

· Cleanliness

· Simplicity

· Sophistication

· Efficiency

Negative:

· Sterility

· Coldness

· Barriers

· Unfriendliness

· Elitism

· Inhumanism

Effects:

· It is total reflection – reflects the full force of the spectrum into our eyes.

· It creates barriers and is a strain to look at

· Visually it gives a heightened perception of space

BROWN:

Positive:

· Seriousness

· Warmth

· Nature

· Earhiness

· Reliability

· Support

Negative:

· Lack of humour

· Heaviness

· Lack of sophistication

Effects:

· Most people find this colour quietly supportive.