Color My Cube
Color psychology is a scientific field devoted to analyzing the effect of color on human behavior and feeling. Practitioners of color psychology or color consultants, claim there are a number of reactions to color which seem to be noted in most persons. Color consultants believe that the colors used in the design of environment can have a significant impact on the emotions and performance of people within that environment. So if you are feeling anxious and stressed at work, it may be worthwhile to decorate your cube blue to evoke a feeling of peace and tranquility or try the calming and relaxing effects of green. Here is a list of the emotional associations with the following colors:
Red: The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an appetite stimulant.
Pink: The most romantic color, pink can have a tranquilizing effect. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams pink so their opponents will lose energy.
Yellow: Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in a yellow room, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads.
Green: A popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients.
Blue: Blue is one of the most popular colors and causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty.
Purple: The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic.
Black: The color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it is stylish and timeless.
White: Symbolizes innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything.
Brown: Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Brown implies genuineness, yet it can also be sad and wistful.
Note: Color associations differ across cultures. The color associations above are for Western culture. Many believe that blue is universally the best color as it is the most positive and has the fewest negative cultural associations across various cultures.
