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Author: Maxence Herbreteau
“Color does not add a pleasant quality to design - it reinforces it.” Pierre Bonnard. In 1810 Johann Woldgang von Goethe, a German poet, published one of the first books on color psychology, Theory of Colours. Throughout the book, the belief that colors evoke different emotions is explained. Color psychology is the study of colors through the effect they create both mentally and physically, although some controversy has risen, many studies have shown that colors impact our mood.
In order to find the effects of different colors, modern studies monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and the brain's electrical activity. The colors that increase blood pressure, heart rate, and brain activity, are shown to be arousing. Color is also found to cause physical changes, such as the ones previously mentioned, as well as certain colors that have been associated with increased metabolism and eyestrain, although that still remains a theory. Semantic differential scales are also used to determine someone's response to a color. “A semantic differential scale is a type of rating scale that features two different adjectives … always opposite in meaning.” (Una).
Previously it was stated that colors can affect the brain, such as mood, but how is that exactly?
Colors are found to stimulate the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is a part of the brain that is linked with the endocrine and nervous system. This structure of the brain produces hormones, some of these include those that control body temperature, heart rate, sex drive, and mood, among others. For this particular relationship with colors and the brain, the hypothalamus will affect the endocrine system through the pituitary gland. The endocrine system in simple terms secretes hormones, which is what impacts emotions and mood. Researchers Ali and Gerard found that calm colors - for example, blue - are calming, and warm colors - for example, red - are stimulating. In 1940 Eysenck conducted a research study that found that people usually state blue as their favorite colors, followed by red or green. In general, the study demonstrated people prefer bright and highly saturated colors while stating dark colors, such as brown, are unfavorable. Once someone has understood the impacts of colors on their minds and others, many small improvements can be made.
Color schemes have been widely used in architecture, especially interior architecture. The concept of mood in interior architecture is often referred to with each color having a different use. By creating the right space with the right colors one can find an increase in motivation, curiosity, productivity, and more. So what exactly do colors achieve?
White is a very popular color in a home. Not only can it make the space feel larger and brighter, but it also gives off a sense of simplicity and cleanness with an environment calming and peaceful. Red on the other hand is much more exciting, being described as an energetic color. In interior design, it is often used to add warmth and depth, commonly used in gathering areas. Black is a dramatic color, it can create elegance, however too much black can create depressive areas, which can be similar to gray depending on the tone. Whereas yellow is a very cheerful color, it can create happiness and positivity, therefore it is also used in gathering areas, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Throughout the colors of the house there always needs to be a balance, too much of one color can easily create too much, leading to negative emotions.
When creating a mood with colors one must be aware of the color theories, such as what specific colors evoke as well as the specifics of a color: tint, shade, tone, value, saturation, and chroma. The tint is the end product of a color once white has been added. Contrastingly, shade is the opposite, it is the end product once black has been added. The tone would be in between the two, once gray has been added. The value of a color is the light property it has, so higher values go for lighter colors and vice versa for low and dark. Saturation is the richness of a color, high saturation stands out and light saturation is pale and bright. The chroma is the pure state of a color. To get a better understanding of these, take a picture and play around with the settings of the image, move around the saturation feature, for example, and observe what it creates.
Although all of this sounds great on paper, scientists have a hard time proving concretely that color affects people physically, keeping a skeptical view. Psychological effects have been more established but are still rather hard to completely prove.
Many researchers debate the effects of colors on our minds. Some examples include:
Red pills have greater stimulating properties
Red increases reactions of speed and force
Black-uniformed players are likely to receive more penalties
Some studies say that people exposed to red before an exam perform worse than those who weren’t.
Some suggest blue and green lead to a better performance than red
In a VeryWellMind article written by Kendra Cherry, it was said that “mood-altering effects of color may only be temporary. A blue room may initially cause feelings of calm, but the effect dissipates after a short period of time.”
Color psychology is the study of colors through the effect they create both mentally and physically, although some controversy has risen, many studies have shown that colors impact our mood. Colors have clearly been proven to show psychological effects, however, those physical effects are debatable. Today, many interior architects, and others, look at colors in order to create a certain type of environment, however, do not forget color is only a part of the process. Therefore, if colors impact our moods, can the dirty plate left in the sink subconsciously impact our minds?
Resources
Colour Psychology: How Colours Influence Mood and Behaviours in Interior Design. 20 Mar. 2023, www.dypatilschoolofdesign.com/blogs/colour-psychology-how-colours-influence-mood-and-behaviours-in-interior-design#:~:text=Interior%20designers%20can%20leverage%20colour,promote%20well%2Dbeing%20and%20productivity.&text=White%20is%20often%20associated%20with,space%20feel%20larger%20and%20brighter. Accessed 11 November 2023.
Elmhurst, Natalie. “Understanding the Psychology of Color in Spaces.” Stoneside, 6 Apr. 2020, www.stoneside.com/resources/articles/interior-design-understanding-the-psychology-of-color-in-spaces. Accessed 11 November 2023.
Fussell, Matt, and Matt Fussell. “Some Interesting Facts About Color.” TheVirtualInstructor Blog |, 19 July 2019, thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/some-interesting-facts-about-color#:~:text=Color%20Can%20Affect%20You%20Physically&text=In%20fact%2C%20simply%20the%20color,emotions%20found%20in%20the%20hypothalamus. Accessed 11 November 2023.
MSEd, Kendra Cherry. “Color Psychology: Does It Affect How You Feel?” Verywell Mind, 29 Nov. 2022, www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824#:~:text=Most%20psychologists%20view%20color%20therapy,color%20may%20only%20be%20temporary. Accessed 11 November 2023.
Professional, Cleveland Clinic Medical. “Hypothalamus.” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22566-hypothalamus. Accessed 11 November 2023.
Stecker, Steffanie. “Color Psychology: The Effects of Color.” Mountain Vista Psychology, 21 Oct. 2021, www.mountainvistapsychology.com/color-psychology-the-effects-of-color/#:~:text=Colors%20close%20to%20the%20red,calm%2C%20sadness%2C%20or%20indifference. Accessed 11 November 2023.
Una. “Guide to Color Psychology | Effects of Color in Acoustical Design.” Unikavaev, 9 Aug. 2023, unikavaev.com/blog/color-psychology/#:~:text=Modern%20Color%20Psychology%20Research,on%20human%20emotions%20and%20behavior. Accessed 11 November 2023.
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