What do your favourite colours say about you and how do colours affect our emotions?
Without realising, colours can stir our feelings and influence our behaviour on a subconscious level. So it’s no surprise that big company branding has been taking advantage of colour and how it affects our emotions for quite some time. Colour is all around us, but what do our choices say about us?
Yellow: So who knew that yellow is an irritant?- especially for babies (what ever you do, don’t paint your nursery yellow!). Apparently, yellow aggravates, so avoid this colour in your home or work space if you’re prone to feeling anxiety. Strangely though, although it can have negative affects on our emotions we actually associate it with sunshine, youthfulness, fun and happiness. Hmm, a little confusing? Yellow also indicates a deep need for logical order. It’s very trendy and modern, especially when paired with bold or contrasting colours. Brands that use yellow really well are Jessica Zweig marketing and Teresa Peters life coach.
Red: Is very noticeable and evokes impulsive feelings. It can make you want to buy things and also feel hungry! It’s no coincidence that some fast food chains and restaurants use red in their logos. Deep reds are interpreted as sexy, flirty, confident and daring. Other things that red can symbolize are, royalty, energy, warmth, warning signs and blood (eek!).
Blue: (My favourite) This colour reflects feelings of inner peace, coolness, calm, strength and wisdom. Blue creates feelings of honesty- so not surprising that blue is used in the branding of some corporations and banks like Barclay and Halifax. It is no accident they have chosen their colours carefully to portray the ‘right impression’. It is also associated with the sky, sea and cleanliness. Above all, blue suppresses the appetite – worth a try for anyone trying not to eat all the left over Christmas choccy??
White: Represents simplicity and purity. It is widely used in health care, sanitation and wedding dresses . People who like white are probably independent and self-reliant. White is currently a very fashionable choice for our homes and cars.
Green: Is such a loving and calming colour. It represents nature, hence many health companies use green in their logos and websites. It also has feelings of peace, harmony, growth and hope. Green also reflects a need to feel safe and secure, but on the other hand, is also closely linked to jealousy and the green-eyed monster! A brand that uses green is Tailored Fit Physio
Purple: Seen as a very emotional colour. People connect it to wealth, luxury, spirituality, magic and wizards! An interesting fact is, many children seem to prefer purple to any other colour. If you like purple you may be a perfectionist and have a deep need to help others.
Black: Used to portray sophistication, prestige and power. Many people like to wear black because it is seen as slimming, but this colour can make Caucasian skin look pale.
Grey: Is cool and balanced. It can be a masculine colour if it’s a darker tone or feminine if lighter. Some greys can look dirty or dull but light grey can carry similar feelings to white. If grey is your colour you will want to avoid confrontation.
Orange: I was never really a fan of orange but I may change my mind after discovering what it represents. It is the friendliest colour, and is the people person colour – if you like orange you might love socializing. A lot of people think of the Sun and citrus fruits which are associated with a healthy lifestyle. Another fantastic orange tone comes from Autumn leaves. Orange is a highly visible colour, and radiates enthusiasm and creativity. Wowzers! Orange is so understated.
It’s not just the colours themselves though, it can be the vibrance and tone and also how colours are used together that can really help create a feel for your brand. Choosing complementary colours may create a dynamic, modern feel or pastel shades might suggest calm and delicacy.
Choosing a colour palette is a very personal thing and what is right for one person might not be right for another.
