Humans have a very deep relationship with color, both on an emotional level and cultural level. Emotionally speaking, we think of “cool blues” and “warm yellows”. Colors can either make us feel peaceful, or energized. Culturally speaking, for example, purple is a sign of royalty, and the bright colors of spices are often used in Indian food.
Understanding the meaning of the different colors is very important in all design. People who use color in advertising and logos go to great lengths to consider the psychology of the colors behind what they are creating.
Let’s take a closer look at them.
RED
Red creates a sense of urgency. It’s very popular in price tags, sale signs, error messages, and stop signs.
ORANGE
Orange symbolizes energy and enthusiasm.
YELLOW
We think of yellow as being bright and happy. In nature, many animal show this color to warn predators of danger.
GREEN
Green tends to be calming. It is also associated with prosperity and success. In nature, we attribute green to freshness and fertility.
BLUE
Blue is a calming color that evokes a sense of trust. It is definitely a favorite amongst American politicians.
VIOLET
Violet is the color of luxury and royalty. This color represents wealth and is often used for high-end products.
Know that you know some of the psychology behind colors, how will you incorporate them into your designs?
