The Psychology Behind Colors
By Janiya Prince, a Senior at iPrep Academy
By Janiya Prince, a Senior at iPrep Academy
The History of Colors:
Our current understanding of light and the color spectrum most likely stems from Sir Isacc Newton, famously known for his discoveries on gravity and his principles of math. Although he organized the color spectrum in the 1660’s, color psychology dates back many years before to Ancient Egyptians according to Ethos3.com, an award winning presentation design agency. Ancient Egyptians studied people’s behavior to color and the effects of using it for health and holistic benefits. Overtime, theories evolved and were adopted in other countries. What is Color Psychology: Color psychology, as defined by Stepanie Nicola, a writer on WebMD with a degree in Biological Anthropology, “connects color with emotions and behavior.” It expresses the effects of color on feelings that can produce certain actions. It is a study that observes how the perception of hues evoke a response. |
Psychology of color in Business
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How Does It Affect the Way You Feel:
Have you ever looked at a color and noticed the way it makes you feel? Color plays an important role in our perception of the word. Artists, companies, and architects consider the effects of colors when releasing a product or work of art! Numerous shades have a variety of ranging effects; some can make you feel a sense of joy and others can make you feel sad. Everytime you purchase something, producers use the influence of color to invoke a feeling they want consumers to feel in order to encourage them to purchase their product.
In an article by Jennifer Bourn, an award-winning designer and founder of BournCreative, a creative design company, she identifies the symbolic meaning of commonly associated traits for colors:
Red: Used to represent danger, but also represents passion or bravery.
Orange: Orange is considered a warm and energetic color.
Yellow: A ‘happy’ color that is associated with warmth and optimism.
Blue: A calming effect that is often used to represent productivity and creativity.
Have you ever looked at a color and noticed the way it makes you feel? Color plays an important role in our perception of the word. Artists, companies, and architects consider the effects of colors when releasing a product or work of art! Numerous shades have a variety of ranging effects; some can make you feel a sense of joy and others can make you feel sad. Everytime you purchase something, producers use the influence of color to invoke a feeling they want consumers to feel in order to encourage them to purchase their product.
In an article by Jennifer Bourn, an award-winning designer and founder of BournCreative, a creative design company, she identifies the symbolic meaning of commonly associated traits for colors:
Red: Used to represent danger, but also represents passion or bravery.
Orange: Orange is considered a warm and energetic color.
Yellow: A ‘happy’ color that is associated with warmth and optimism.
Blue: A calming effect that is often used to represent productivity and creativity.
Color Psychology in Marketing
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What Is Color Therapy:
Color therapy, also known as Chromotherapy, is a treatment that utilizes color and light to treat certain health conditions. According to Toketemu Ohwovoriole, a freelance healthcare writer in an article in Verywell Mind, “it is based upon the unproven assumption that certain colors can impact people's ‘energy’ and impact health outcomes.” There are two significant techniques of color therapy. One can be done through sight, looking at a color with the intention that it invokes a certain response in the body. The other technique is by directly reflecting colors on parts of the body. These techniques help with a variety of mental and physical health conditions like stress, anxiety, or even skin infections! However, according to the American Cancer Society, there is no official research that proves that it is effective. Color psychology used in marketing: Companies use colors to present a certain image of their brand. According to Gregory Ciotti, a marketing strategist, he emphasizes the idea that the “right color shows off [a] brand’s personality.” It symbolizes traits that businesses want to project to their consumers. Marketing and advertising companies utilize the impact of color on individuals to promote their business. |
In an article by the Color Marketing Group, an international association for color design professionals, these are the most common interpretations of colors in the United States:
White: Fresh, clean, and simple.
Black: Powerful and Strong. Used to represent luxury.
Red: Bold, power, and confidence.
Blue: Security, safety, and dependability
Yellow: Happiness, energetic, and fun.
Green: Nature, health, and peace
White: Fresh, clean, and simple.
Black: Powerful and Strong. Used to represent luxury.
Red: Bold, power, and confidence.
Blue: Security, safety, and dependability
Yellow: Happiness, energetic, and fun.
Green: Nature, health, and peace
Colors and our Home @ IPrep:
Going against the status quo of blank white walls and no decorations, iPrep uses colors and inspirational words to stimulate the minds of the students. The blue, green, yellow, and pink walls allow students to relieve stress and encourage attentiveness. As stated on the iPrep Website on the about page, the “brightly colored school without doors or bells is purposely designed to promote respect and responsibility among the students & staff.” Colors in the learning environment influence the way student’s behave and how they learn. Colors are a powerful way to communicate and allow people to express emotions and send a message. Every time you think of a color, now you can consider the psychology behind it. |
iPrep students doing work at the high tops.
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Works Cited
Arel, Robert. “The Psychology of Color.” Color Marketing Group, 6 September 2018, https://colormarketing.org/2018/09/06/the-psychology-of-color/.
Bourn Creative, https://www.bourncreative.com/.
Cherry, Kendra. “Color Psychology: Does It Affect How You Feel?” Verywell Mind, 28 May 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824.
Ciotti, Gregory. “Color Psychology in Marketing and Branding is All About Context.” Help Scout, 12 August 2020, https://www.helpscout.com/blog/psychology-of-color/. Accessed
Nicola, Stephanie. “What Is Color Psychology? How Color Affects Emotions, Behaviors, and Mental Health.” WebMD, 27 April 2022, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-color-psychology.
“The Best Colors to Use for School Interior Design.” Design Resources Group, https://drgaia.com/color-in-schools/.
“The Psychology of Colour.” Centre Colours, 30 October 2018, https://www.centrecolours.co.uk/the-psychology-of-colour. Accessed 10 October 2022.
Schwertly, Scott. “The History of Color Psychology.” Ethos3, 20 June 2014, https://ethos3.com/the-history-of-color-psychology/.
Arel, Robert. “The Psychology of Color.” Color Marketing Group, 6 September 2018, https://colormarketing.org/2018/09/06/the-psychology-of-color/.
Bourn Creative, https://www.bourncreative.com/.
Cherry, Kendra. “Color Psychology: Does It Affect How You Feel?” Verywell Mind, 28 May 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824.
Ciotti, Gregory. “Color Psychology in Marketing and Branding is All About Context.” Help Scout, 12 August 2020, https://www.helpscout.com/blog/psychology-of-color/. Accessed
Nicola, Stephanie. “What Is Color Psychology? How Color Affects Emotions, Behaviors, and Mental Health.” WebMD, 27 April 2022, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-color-psychology.
“The Best Colors to Use for School Interior Design.” Design Resources Group, https://drgaia.com/color-in-schools/.
“The Psychology of Colour.” Centre Colours, 30 October 2018, https://www.centrecolours.co.uk/the-psychology-of-colour. Accessed 10 October 2022.
Schwertly, Scott. “The History of Color Psychology.” Ethos3, 20 June 2014, https://ethos3.com/the-history-of-color-psychology/.