Colors of the rainbow: the psychology of color choices

By Dora Chen

Have you ever been stuck in the middle of working on a piece of art? You have the ideas and finished the base, but choosing the colors is impossible. If you had been in that infuriating situation that ruins your perfect masterpiece, read on, and you won’t be likely to be in that situation again.

Red and orange can bring warmth and happiness when seen. Creativity, enthusiasm, and positivity are known in these two bright colors. It can also easily catch the human eye. When making posters, experienced designers often use red and orange to spread awareness and capture more attention.

“Red is the first color of spring. It’s the color of rebirth. Of beginning.”

-Ally Condie, Matched (2010)

Yellow can make you feel spontaneous and happy. It can also lift your mood after a hard day. Yellow highlights points that need to be remembered and sharpens your memory, while red, on the other hand, can draw your attention. A combination of red and yellow is one of the most popular mixtures regarding posters.

The true meaning of green is quite complicated as it has two sides, one bright and one dark. Green can symbolize nature, youth, health, good luck, etc. However it can also be used as a sign of envy or misfortune. That’s why sometimes the princess has light green eyes like a fresh leaf, while villains have stormy dark green eyes that are known to see through other’s souls.

Light blue symbolizes peace and tranquility, while dark blue symbolizes knowledge, authority, etc. Blue is best used to describe the color of the sky. Police officers often wear dark blue or indigo uniforms because it implies trust and someone you can rely on. Staring at a calming shade of blue can be awfully relaxing.

Indigo is considered the color of the midnight sky. While true blue communicates with others, indigo mainly represents self-reflection. People with indigo as their favorite color are often fascinated with the mysterious and unknown and are not generally seen as spontaneous.

The color purple has a double meaning, like many others. This color was popular in Ancient Rome since it symbolized royalty. Purple is most often used to symbolize royalty, enlightenment, and wisdom. On the other hand, this elegant color also symbolizes cruelty, arrogance, and mourning. Not only did the Ancient Romans see purple as a sign of royalty, but many others did too.

They brighten our lives and impact our moods: understanding the psychology behind colors is like learning a new language. With the right colors, you can tell a story, convey your emotions, share your thoughts, and follow them into this new and unique universe. So, what do you do with colors?

References

Braam, H. van. (2023, January 3). Color Psychology. From https://ww w.colorpsychology.org

Cherry, K. (2022, November 29). Can Color Affect Your Mood And Behavior? Verywell Mind. From https://www.verywellmind.com /color-psychology-2795824

Deborah (Ed.). (2012, December 24). Color psychology: The psychological effects of colors. Art Therapy. From https://www. arttherapyblog.com/online/color-psychology-psychological-effects-of-colors/#.ZEtivexBwbk

Maybray, B. (2022, August 16). Color Psychology: How To Use It In Marketing and Branding. HubSpot Blog. From https://blog.hubs pot.com/the-hustle/psychology-of-color