How do different colours impact our moods, feelings and behaviours?
While perceptions of colour are somewhat subjective, there are some colour effects that have universal meaning.
Colours in the red area of the colour spectrum are known as warm colours and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colours evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility. Colours on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colours and include blue, purple and green. These colours are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference. Colour affects every moment of our lives even though most of our colour choices are unconscious. They have a profound effect on how we look, feel and how we are perceived by others.
Yellow is the colour of sunshine.
It’s the colour of the Solar Plexus Chakra.
How the colour orange affects us physically: Stimulates mental processes, stimulates the nervous system,activates memory, encourages communication.
The yellow wavelength is relatively long and essentially stimulating. In this case the stimulus is emotional, therefore yellow is the strongest colour, psychologically. The right yellow will lift our spirits and our self-esteem; it is the colour of confidence and optimism.
Bright, pure yellow is an attention getter, which is the reason taxicabs are painted this colour. When overused, yellow may have a disturbing effect; it is known that babies cry more in yellow rooms. Yellow is seen before other colours when placed against black; this combination is often used to issue a warning.
Use yellow to evoke pleasant, cheerful feelings. You can choose yellow to promote children’s products and items related to leisure. Men usually perceive yellow as a very light-hearted, ‘childish’ colour, so it is not recommended to use yellow when selling prestigious, expensive products to men. Yellow is an unstable and spontaneous colour, so avoid using yellow if you want to suggest stability and safety.
Yellow around the globe:
– The Chinese have placed a predominance upon the colour yellow not seen elsewhere in the world. It was the colour of emperors during both the Ming dynasty and the Qing dynasty.
– In Aztec culture, yellow symbolized food because it was the colour of corn, the primary food of the Aztec people.
(Sources: sensationalcolor.com, dreamhomedecorating.com, psychology.about.com, colour-affects.co.uk)
Sandra – Image Consultant
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