Colors on Colors
3 March 2024
*created by canva ai*
“...the way colors can influence people are all reasons as to why color theory is so important to know and study. ”
Color. Color is known to be able to change people's mood, perception, and behavior. But, before I dive into what color can make people do one certain thing, I will discuss the ins and outs of the infamous color wheel. We can thank Sir Isaac Newton for introducing the world to the color wheel by mapping the color spectrum in a circle. According to the Smithsonian Libraries article “The Science of Color”, “In the 1660s, English physicist and mathematician Isaac Newton began a series of experiments with sunlight and prisms. He demonstrated that clear white light was composed of seven visible colors. By scientifically establishing our visible spectrum (the colors we see in a rainbow), Newton laid the path for others to experiment with color in a scientific manner. His work led to breakthroughs in optics, physics, chemistry, perception, and the study of color in nature.” If you look at the basic color wheel, it has six colors that form the rainbow in a circle with the warm colors (red, orange, yellow) next to the cool colors (blue, green, purple). Even though the color wheel seems elementary but, the way colors play off each other, the way colors can make people feel, and the way colors can influence people are all reasons as to why color theory is so important to know and study.
According to InVision.com, “When you’re pairing colors, you can find harmony through choosing complementary colors. In this case, opposites attract. This particular color scheme draws from two colors on the opposite side of the color wheel. When you do this, the result is a high-contrast color combo that’s bright and that pops.” Red and green; yellow and purple; orange and blue; green and magenta are all color combinations that go well together.
Designers can use colors in powerful ways such as green. Green is often used to symbolize “good”. In traffic lights green means go, when you enter everything correctly a green message signals you to proceed. On the other hand, the color red is the total opposite of green. Red means stop in all countries and languages. Red is understood world wide. Red means wrong as well. Warm colors can represent energy and passion while cool colors can represent to some people serenity and peace.
In today’s world up to 90% of people’s initial impressions are based on color, mention.com states. Mention.com’s article “The Psychology of Color in Social Media” discusses examples of different uses of color in social media and how it is influential, “Red: red is a bold and dynamic color…YouTube using red for their CTS buttons since the color compels people to take action…Yellow: yellow evokes the feeling of joy, happiness…IKEA uses yellow in their branding because they celebrate the feeling of happiness when people buy new homes…” Many more colors of the rainbow have been used with a purpose such as purple with Hallmark and Cadbury, to represent luxury and at the same time mystery. It is an amazing thing that Isaac Newton introduced the world to colors and the endless possibilities that can be created with colors.
Hi there! I’m Lauren Melville.
I love to delve deep into the world of graphic design, exploring areas like branding, typography, and advertising campaign strategies.