We get to see so many colours daily. From TV to newspapers and interiors to the landscape outside, colours don’t leave our sight. But only a few people know about the ‘Psychology of Colour’ and how every colour has a particular impact on our emotions, behaviours, and moods.
This concept sums up the term “colour psychology.” Correctly understanding the subconscious impact of colour is essential for designers, marketers, and others who use or work with colours on different projects.
Sometimes, these psychological associations are shaped by our culture, biology, and personal experience. So, professionals often use the context, combinations, saturations, and cultural background of colour perceptions. It helps them manipulate and shape the psychological reactions of people.
Are you keen on knowing more about the emotional effects of colours? Here, we have listed some key colours and the emotions or behaviours linked to them.
The Psychology of Colour And Its Emotional Effects:
1. Red
Red is a bright and eye-catching hue. It is often linked with excitement, passion, and danger. Sometimes, it’s even associated with quick action.
Since it’s easy to catch attention, the colour can emotionally raise blood pressure and respiration rates. So, you will often find red used in advertisements to promote bold choices and provoke essential reactions.
2. Blue
In contrast to red, there is blue. It is a calming and relaxing colour linked with the sky. Also, it represents and gives a sense of security. Blue lowers blood pressure, opposite to red.
This hue is associated with stable and composed emotional states. Moreover, the deeper shades of blue are often seen as soothing colours. As a result, blue is often used to make and present products and services where the goal is to inspire trust.
3. Green
Taking cues from nature, green is associated with renewal and harmony. In addition, it’s linked to renewal and wealth. The competitively softer shade of green helps to relieve anxiety and maintain a sense of energy.
Many brands and marketers use green colours to package sustainable products. Further, it indicates environmentalism, quality, or prosperity. The light green shades mainly reflect freshness, while the dark greens represent tradition.
4. Yellow
Next in line is the yellow colour. This bright colour can easily uplift your mood and optimism. Also, it improves confidence and easily attracts people’s attention, among other colours.
But, given its extreme brightness, it often leads to sensory overload. So, you will often find that many brands use yellow as their brand colour on social media and packaging to get customer attention. At the same time, a softer and less eye-catching yellow shade suggests warmth and comfort.
5. Black
Black is one of the most popular colours in the modern world. It carries a sense of mystery in itself. Black is linked to sophistication, drama and power. Often, black represents authority, seriousness, and exclusivity due to formality.
As a result, professionals and corporate leaders often choose to wear black colour outfits. However, the excess of black shade can be overwhelming. It can shape and overpower other colours when overmixed or used together.
6. White
After black, we can’t leave without discussing white. The peaceful and calming colour is often paired with black for an ideal contrast. White is linked to cleanliness, purity, and innocence.
It reflects openness, allowing the eye to rest on a more stable hue. A crisp and upright white promotes clarity, while a stark white gives an isolating feeling.
7. Pink
Pink is often considered a more feminine, romantic, or playful colour. It reports a calming impact. Consequently, some foreign countries use pink in their prisons or medical centers because it is alleged to decrease anger.
Apart from this, Pink has several shades, from light to dark. It is linked to positive emotions like love, kindness, and hope.
8. Purple
Purple is often considered a royal colour linked with care. Otherwise, it represents luxury, creativity, wisdom, dignity, and spirituality. You will often find shades of purple used by luxurious brands on expensive products. Even royal families in the past used to often include purple in their wardrobe colour palette.
The dark shades of purple can evoke gloom and sadness. On the other hand, the Lighter lavender shades are often soft or romantic. They encourage imagination and innovation.
Final Words – Behavioural Influence of Colours
When you consider and choose colours for different purposes based on their psychological impact, they can sincerely make an impact. Colours have a significant potential to influence decision-making and guide emotions in any visual medium. As a result, colour psychology is often applied in marketing, designing, interiors, and several other domains
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