MARKETING // EDUCATION // LIFESTYLE // BUSINESS // DESIGN
How Colors Affect UsColor associations can appear in our everyday life most ordinarily. Just think of the color codes, such as red for hot water and blue for cold. Similarly, we associate the green color with permission to cross the road, drive forward, or pass through. Examples like that can frequently be found in nature. We may use fire and water as natural associations for hot and cold. However, when it comes to using green for "on" and "go" and red for "off" and "stop,” these are not entirely derived from nature. Since time immemorial, the red color has been associated with danger and therefore could be used for the "stop” sign. The fact that green was chosen to stand for the opposite can be explained by the fact that the white color failed to perform the same function satisfactorily. When traffic lights for trains were introduced in the United States in the 1830s, red lights were used for "stop" and white for "drive." But after an accident involving a train driver who mistook a white light for a regular lamp, the color was changed to green. It is reasonable to perceive green as something generally positive if we use nature as an analogy. It is also interesting to consider why the contrast in black and white colors is not widely used today. They are obviously antagonistic and can be attributed to light and darkness. An absence of such a common contrast probably has to do with practical circumstances. They don't stand out as clearly from their surroundings, and — as it is evident from the train accident — can be easily confused with something neutral. Things that Colors SymbolizeWe have come to assigning to colors various qualities that reflect our feelings and ideas. Therefore, we associate love with red, envy with green, and sadness — with blue. Red Red is associated with love, passion, and warmth. However, it can also stand for danger, war, and blood (the Roman god of war, Mars, got its name from the planet named identically). The red color can also have a revitalizing effect. It has been discovered that the red color can significantly improve the chances of winning in different sports competitions. A survey conducted after the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens found that athletes competing in boxing, wrestling, and taekwondo performed much better in 55 percent of the cases if they were wearing red uniforms. To someone, that may not be considered as credible evidence, but Russell Hill and Robert Barton, the anthropologists who conducted the survey, were quite adamant about that. A 2009 survey conducted by German researchers came to the same conclusion. After comparing different soccer teams, they concluded that players wearing red uniforms score ten percent more in any game than those whose uniforms are of different colors. How can we explain that? Apparently, red makes the opponent feel scared while boosting your confidence. Yellow Yellow is associated with joy and optimism as it reminds us of the sun. Yellow can have a revitalizing effect, too. It also suggests spontaneous and unmotivated actions. In Hinduism, yellow is associated with knowledge and learning. Vishnu and Krishna are often depicted wearing yellow clothes that symbolize their great knowledge. Hindu monks, on the other hand, wear costumes of saffron color because it represents abstinence. Orange Orange is associated with positive feelings. However, quite a few people believe that it doesn’t have any universal significance and is, therefore, associated with different things in different cultures. Green Green is associated with harmony, growth, and nature. This color can have a soothing effect and helps us focus on specific tasks. Blue Blue is for reliability, intelligence, and faith. When used in interior design, it can have a calming effect (especially light blue tone). Purple Purple is associated with creativity, mystery, and luxury. Brown Brown is everything earthy and organic. It is also connected to masculinity. Black Black is darkness, evil, sorrow, death, everything unknown, and danger. It can also be linked to sophistication and power. Gray Gray is always something bland and neutral. It also has a hint of formal and glamorous. “Timeless” and “conservative” are the two features that are sometimes linked to this color. White White is associated with innocence, purity, goodness, and neutrality. Not all people are affected by each of the above colors in the same way. Human perception of themselves can be influenced by several factors, including cultural traditions and religious beliefs. What Colors Should We Surround Ourselves With?If different colors affect us, should we also take this into account the next time we repaint our room or choose a blouse? Some studies indicate that we can actually change our personalities to some extent through the colors we surround ourselves with. It has got to do with our mood but can perhaps transfer on our worldview and the way we express ourselves. However, it's not only the color itself that is important but its intensity and combinations. But, be careful — while being used together, many colors can cause stress and anxiety.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |