The influence of colours

1
The influence of colours

• Color Theory

2
Plan

• Introduction.
• Color Education.
• About Light.
• The Measurement of Color.
• Color Meaning.
• Color Associations.

3
 Introduction.

• In art and anthropology, color symbolism refers
  to the use of color as a symbol throughout
  cultures and religions. Color psychology is a
  field of psychology devoted to analyzing the
  effect of color on human behavior and feeling,
  distinct from phototherapy (the use of
  ultraviolet light to cure infantile jaundice). It
  is important not to confuse color psychology with
  color symbolism.

For example, symbolically, red may be used to
denote danger, largely due to the fact that reds
have the illusion of appearing nearer than other
colors and, therefore have greater impact. In
color psychology, on the other hand the colors of
danger are yellow and black. In color symbolism,
green denotes envy in many cultures, while in
color psychology, it is associated with balance.
4
Color Education.

• Color is generally defined as the characteristic
  of any object thats described in terms of hue,
  lightness, and saturation. In 1666 Sir Isaac
  Newton, (Mr. Gravity) through experiments with a
  prism, laid a scientific foundation for
  understanding color. Newton showed that a prism
  could break up white light into a range of
  colors, which he called the spectrum.

Visible Spectrum
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• Newton noted that the spectrum was continuous,
  but decided to use seven color names (red,
  orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet)
  by analogy with the seven notes of the musical
  scale. Although Newton stated that there were
  seven colors in the spectrum, he realized that
  colors other than those in the spectral sequence
  do exist, but noted that

All the colors in the universe which are made by
light, and depend not on the power of
imagination, are either the colors of homogeneal
lights (i.e., spectral colors), or compounds of
these.
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• There are three categories for color types.
  First, primary colors consist of red, blue, and
  yellow. Combinations (or as Newton put it
  compounds) of these fall into the other two
  categories secondary colors and tertiary colors.

Color Wheel
Tertiary colors
Primary Colors
Secondary Colors
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• There are three attributes that sufficiently
  distinguish one color from all other perceived
  colors. First, the hue is that aspect of color
  usually associated with terms such as red,
  orange, yellow, and so on. Second, saturation
  (also known as chroma, or tone) refers to
  relative purity. When a pure, vivid, strong shade
  of blue is mixed with a variable amount of white,
  weaker or paler blues are produced, each having
  the same hue but a different saturation. Lastly,
  light of any given combination of hue and
  saturation can have a variable brightness or
  intensity, which is dependent on the level of
  energy present.

Chromatic, nonchromatic, and achromatic colors
are visible to the human eye. Chromatic colors
are the ones defined by Newton (e.g. red, indigo,
yellow). Examples of nonchromatic colors are
brown, pink, and magenta. Achromatic colors are
applied to black, grey, and white. Britannica
Online states that according to some reports,
humans can distinguish some 10 million colors,
all of which derive from two types of light
mixture additive and subtractive. Additive
mixture involves the addition of spectral
components and subtractive mixture concerns the
subtraction (or absorption) of parts of the
spectrum.
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The three additive colors are red, green, and
blue. By additively mixing these colors in
varying amounts almost all other colors can be
produced. Moreover, when the three primary colors
are mixed together in equal amounts white is
produced. Subtractive color mixing involves the
absorption and selective transmission or
reflection of light. This usually happens when
mixing colorants like pigments or dyes or when
colored filters are used to cover a beam of light.
9
About Light.

• In the field of physics, color is associated
  specifically with electromagnetic radiation of a
  range of wavelengths visible to the human eye.
  The radiation of these wavelengths comprises that
  portion of the electromagnetic spectrum also
  known as the visible spectrum (i.e. light).
  Light, a small piece of the electromagnetic
  spectrum is the only visible form of
  electromagnetic radiation. Light has common
  characteristics with both waves and particles. It
  can be thought of as a stream of minute energy
  packets radiated at varying frequencies in a wave
  motion. A wavelength (the distance between
  corresponding points of two consecutive waves) is
  often expressed in units of nanometers (or 1 nm
  10-9 meters).

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• The wavelengths that make up visible light range
  from about 400 nm at the violet end of the
  spectrum to 700 nm at the red end. In an
  interesting side note, the limits of the visible
  spectrum are not exact for the human race. All
  humans have different exact upper and lower
  limits within the spectrum. As wavelengths get
  shorter the spectrum extends to include
  ultraviolet and continues through X-rays, gamma
  rays, and cosmic rays. As wavelengths get longer
  infrared rays (which can be felt as heat),
  microwaves, and radio waves are included in the
  spectrum.

11
The Measurement of Color.

• The measurement of color is known as colorimetry.
  It is difficult to describe the color of a
  specific spectral energy distribution because the
  eye perceives only a single color for any given
  energy distribution. So, to measure color it is
  necessary to express color measurements using a
  perception-related method. One method is called
  the tristimulus system. This system is based on
  visually matching a color under standardized
  conditions against the three primary colors (red,
  green, and blue). The three results (called
  tristimulus values) are expressed as X, Y, and Z
  respectively. Such data can be graphically
  represented on a chromaticity diagram.

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Diagram
Chromaticity
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Color Meaning.

•  Red
• Red is the color of fire and blood, so it is
  associated with energy, war, danger, strength,
  power, determination as well as passion, desire,
  and love.
• Red is a very emotionally intense color. It
  enhances human metabolism, increases respiration
  rate, and raises blood pressure. It has very high
  visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights,
  and fire equipment are usually painted red. In
  heraldry, red is used to indicate courage. It is
  a color found in many national flags.
• Red brings text and images to the foreground.
  Use it as an accent color to stimulate people to
  make quick decisions it is a perfect color for
  'Buy Now' or 'Click Here' buttons on Internet
  banners and websites. In advertising, red is
  often used to evoke erotic feelings (red lips,
  red nails, red-light districts, 'Lady in Red',
  etc). Red is widely used to indicate danger (high
  voltage signs, traffic lights). This color is
  also commonly associated with energy, so you can
  use it when promoting energy drinks, games, cars,
  items related to sports and high physical
  activity.
• Light red represents joy, sexuality, passion,
  sensitivity, and love. Pink signifies romance,
  love, and friendship. It denotes feminine
  qualities and passiveness.Dark red is associated
  with vigor, willpower, rage, anger, leadership,
  courage, longing, malice, and wrath.Brown
  suggests stability and denotes masculine
  qualities.Reddish-brown is associated with
  harvest and fall.

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RED
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• Orange
• Orange combines the energy of red and the
  happiness of yellow. It is associated with joy,
  sunshine, and the tropics. Orange represents
  enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity,
  determination, attraction, success,
  encouragement, and stimulation.
• To the human eye, orange is a very hot color, so
  it gives the sensation of heat. Nevertheless,
  orange is not as aggressive as red. Orange
  increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an
  invigorating effect, and stimulates mental
  activity. It is highly accepted among young
  people. As a citrus color, orange is associated
  with healthy food and stimulates appetite. Orange
  is the color of fall and harvest. In heraldry,
  orange is symbolic of strength and endurance.
• Orange has very high visibility, so you can use
  it to catch attention and highlight the most
  important elements of your design. Orange is very
  effective for promoting food products and toys.
• Dark orange can mean deceit and
  distrust.Red-orange corresponds to desire,
  sexual passion, pleasure, domination, aggression,
  and thirst for action.Gold evokes the feeling of
  prestige. The meaning of gold is illumination,
  wisdom, and wealth. Gold often symbolizes high
  quality.

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• Orange

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•   Yellow
• Yellow is the color of sunshine. It's associated
  with joy, happiness, intellect, and energy.
• Yellow produces a warming effect, arouses
  cheerfulness, stimulates mental activity, and
  generates muscle energy. Yellow is often
  associated with food. Bright, pure yellow is an
  attention getter, which is the reason taxicabs
  are painted this color. When overused, yellow may
  have a disturbing effect it is known that babies
  cry more in yellow rooms. Yellow is seen before
  other colors when placed against black this
  combination is often used to issue a warning. In
  heraldry, yellow indicates honor and loyalty.
  Later the meaning of yellow was connected with
  cowardice.
• Use yellow to evoke pleasant, cheerful feelings.
  You can choose yellow to promote children's
  products and items related to leisure. Yellow is
  very effective for attracting attention, so use
  it to highlight the most important elements of
  your design. Men usually perceive yellow as a
  very lighthearted, 'childish' color, so it is not
  recommended to use yellow when selling
  prestigious, expensive products to men nobody
  will buy a yellow business suit or a yellow
  Mercedes. Yellow is an unstable and spontaneous
  color, so avoid using yellow if you want to
  suggest stability and safety. Light yellow tends
  to disappear into white, so it usually needs a
  dark color to highlight it. Shades of yellow are
  visually unappealing because they loose
  cheerfulness and become dingy.
• Dull (dingy) yellow represents caution, decay,
  sickness, and jealousy. Light yellow is
  associated with intellect, freshness, and joy.

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Yellow
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• Green
• Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes
  growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility. Green
  has strong emotional correspondence with safety.
  Dark green is also commonly associated with
  money.
• Green has great healing power. It is the most
  restful color for the human eye it can improve
  vision. Green suggests stability and endurance.
  Sometimes green denotes lack of experience for
  example, a 'greenhorn' is a novice. In heraldry,
  green indicates growth and hope. Green, as
  opposed to red, means safety it is the color of
  free passage in road traffic.
• Use green to indicate safety when advertising
  drugs and medical products. Green is directly
  related to nature, so you can use it to promote
  'green' products. Dull, darker green is commonly
  associated with money, the financial world,
  banking, and Wall Street.
• Dark green is associated with ambition, greed,
  and jealousy.Yellow-green can indicate sickness,
  cowardice, discord, and jealousy.Aqua is
  associated with emotional healing and
  protection.Olive green is the traditional color
  of peace.

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Green
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• Blue
• Blue is the color of the sky and sea. It is
  often associated with depth and stability. It
  symbolizes trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence,
  intelligence, faith, truth, and heaven.
• Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and
  body. It slows human metabolism and produces a
  calming effect. Blue is strongly associated with
  tranquility and calmness. In heraldry, blue is
  used to symbolize piety and sincerity.
• You can use blue to promote products and
  services related to cleanliness (water
  purification filters, cleaning liquids, vodka),
  air and sky (airlines, airports, air
  conditioners), water and sea (sea voyages,
  mineral water). As opposed to emotionally warm
  colors like red, orange, and yellow blue is
  linked to consciousness and intellect. Use blue
  to suggest precision when promoting high-tech
  products.
• Blue is a masculine color according to studies,
  it is highly accepted among males. Dark blue is
  associated with depth, expertise, and stability
  it is a preferred color for corporate America.
• Avoid using blue when promoting food and
  cooking, because blue suppresses appetite. When
  used together with warm colors like yellow or
  red, blue can create high-impact, vibrant
  designs for example, blue-yellow-red is a
  perfect color scheme for a superhero.
• Light blue is associated with health, healing,
  tranquility, understanding, and softness.Dark
  blue represents knowledge, power, integrity, and
  seriousness.

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• Blue

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• Purple
• Purple combines the stability of blue and the
  energy of red. Purple is associated with royalty.
  It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and
  ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance.
  Purple is associated with wisdom, dignity,
  independence, creativity, mystery, and magic.
• According to surveys, almost 75 percent of
  pre-adolescent children prefer purple to all
  other colors. Purple is a very rare color in
  nature some people consider it to be artificial.
• Light purple is a good choice for a feminine
  design. You can use bright purple when promoting
  children's products.
• Light purple evokes romantic and nostalgic
  feelings.Dark purple evokes gloom and sad
  feelings. It can cause frustration.

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• Purple

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• White
• White is associated with light, goodness,
  innocence, purity, and virginity. It is
  considered to be the color of perfection.
• White means safety, purity, and cleanliness. As
  opposed to black, white usually has a positive
  connotation. White can represent a successful
  beginning. In heraldry, white depicts faith and
  purity.
• In advertising, white is associated with
  coolness and cleanliness because it's the color
  of snow. You can use white to suggest simplicity
  in high-tech products. White is an appropriate
  color for charitable organizations angels are
  usually imagined wearing white clothes. White is
  associated with hospitals, doctors, and
  sterility, so you can use white to suggest safety
  when promoting medical products. White is often
  associated with low weight, low-fat food, and
  dairy products.

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White
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•   Black
• Black is associated with power, elegance,
  formality, death, evil, and mystery.
• Black is a mysterious color associated with fear
  and the unknown (black holes). It usually has a
  negative connotation (blacklist, black humor,
  'black death'). Black denotes strength and
  authority it is considered to be a very formal,
  elegant, and prestigious color (black tie, black
  Mercedes). In heraldry, black is the symbol of
  grief.
• Black gives the feeling of perspective and
  depth, but a black background diminishes
  readability. A black suit or dress can make you
  look thinner. When designing for a gallery of art
  or photography, you can use a black or gray
  background to make the other colors stand out.
  Black contrasts well with bright colors. Combined
  with red or orange other very powerful colors
  black gives a very aggressive color scheme.

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  Black
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Color Associations.

• Associations with color are defined by our
  senses, language, objects (or forms), and
  personality characteristics. Color conveys moods
  which attach themselves to human feelings and our
  psychic make-up in an almost automatic fashion.
  This section presents the results of color
  associations

• Trust
• Security
• Speed
• Cheap
• Least Favorite Color
• High Quality
• High Technology

• Male Favorite Color

• Reliability
• Courage
• Fear
• Fun
• Favorite color
• Female Favorite Color

Conclusion.
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Trust.
Back
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Security.
Back
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Speed.
Back
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Cheap.
Back
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Least Favorite Color.
Back
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High quality.
Back
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High Technology.
Back
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Reliability.
Back
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Courage.
Back
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Fear.
Back
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Fun.
Back
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Favorite color.
Back
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Female Favorite Color.
Back
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Male Favorite Color .
Back
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Conclusion.

• The most important aspect of color in daily life
  is probably the one that is least defined and
  most variable. It involves aesthetic and
  psychological responses to color and influences
  art, fashion, commerce, and even physical and
  emotional sensations. Its important to
  understand that the psychological perception of
  color is subjective, and only general comments
  about its characteristics and uses are going to
  be made.