How Does Color Affect Mood?

For years artists and design professionals have argued that choosing the correct color can make a difference on the emotional effects that a work of art, decorated room, company logo or even a sign can employ. Though there is no hard scientific evidence to back this claim to date, there still seems to be truth surrounding the psychological effects of color. 

Color was first discovered by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666, when he passed pure white light through a prism, resulting in separated lines of each visible color. Since then, the use of color has expanded, and universal meanings have been assigned to each one individually. Here’s a breakdown of the three different color groups and their specific meanings.

1. Warm colors consist of any variation of red, orange or yellow and are said to be energizing. When used, these colors help foster feelings of happiness and optimism.

• Red is extremely eye-catching in nature and evokes passionate emotions of love, anger and excitement. 
• Orange inspires bliss and happiness. It creates a warm and inviting feel, perfect for calls-to-action.
• Yellow is absolutely energizing, associated closely with sunshine, hope and laughter. Using yellow can evoke an optimistic and cheerful mood.

2. Cool colors are next up on the color wheel and include shades of green, blue and purple. These color choices are said to bring about a soothing and calming feeling.

• Green is often associated with healthy choices and wealth. It is often used by companies in the health, beauty and environmental industries to inspire hope.
• Blue is one of the most commonly used colors, due to it’s calming nature meant to evoke feelings of trust and spirituality.
• Purple is inspiring! Known as the color of creativity, royalty and wealth, purple is often used to enrich the look of a design and add an air of luxury.

3. Neutrals, like black, white, gray, tan and brown, are most commonly used as backdrop or accent colors. When juxtaposed with warm or cool colors, neutrals help enhance the other colors in the design, strengthening their meaning.

• Black and gray indicate sophistication and conservatism, while white represents purity, innocence and softness. 
• Tan is subdued and relaxing, while brown has a wholesome, earthy feeling.

In addition to the given meanings for each color, the main reason that color is so effective in evoking certain emotions is experience. Each individual has experienced color differently and therefore associates specific colors with certain emotions. This is why it has been hard for scientists to pinpoint the exact psychological effects that colors can have on individuals.

If you’re looking to choose the perfect color palate for your next custom banner, vehicle wrap or wall graphic, you’ve come to the right place. For more than 25 years, the design consultants at Chief Graphix have been walking industry leaders just like you through the custom branding process.

To learn more about how we can help you create custom signage that’s both engaging and emotionally-charged to compliment your company's unique services, call 1-883-SIGN today.