Color Psychology Essay

Color Psychology Color psychology, the study of how color affects moods, emotions, and feelings, is used in homes, advertising, art, cultures and more. Different colors are able to invoke different moods and emotions. These affects are dependent on your cultural background, upbringing, and personal preferences. Pantone states that “scientists have found that actual physiological changes take place in human beings when they are exposed to certain colors” (Pantone). While it can be subjective from person to person, colors are intentionally used in the arts, advertising, and on the walls of your home to control the mood of the observer. Color is especially important for businesses who are trying to advertise to their different customers. Rasmussen

While color psychology can be a complicated topic because human emotions are subjective, certain colors can create both positive and negative moods. For instance, the color red can cause strong and passionate emotions ranging from love and comfort to confidence and excitement. Rasmussen College says that “the color red is often associated with evoking strong or passionate emotions”, but red can also mean danger or anger (Rasmussen). Blue creates the feeling of dependability and peacefulness, but can also create a feeling of distance or depression. Green is a calming color associated with nature, but also associated with jealousy. Rasmussen College states that “orange is typically correlated with excitement, enthusiasm and warmth” and it also used in road or construction signs because it attracts attention (Rasmussen). There are many other colors beside these few examples that have psychological affects. Each different color can have diverse affects depending on the shade and the setting in which the color is

First, color psychology is used in business to draw customers to complete an action such as purchasing a product. Rasmussen College states that “color selection can make a big [influence] on the reaction of your audience and how they feel about your product” (Rasmussen). Graphic designers and marketers need to choose colors carefully to match how they want to influence their customers. Because each color can have a different influence, Rasmussen says “this is why every color should be selected strategically to contribute to the overall goals of the piece” (Rasmussen). Second, color psychology is used in interior designs to shape the spaces that people live in. HGTV says “color makes a tiny room feel larger, or a spacious one feel more intimate, without the time and expense of actually moving walls” (HGTV). Color is a powerful tool when personalizing your home. For example, warmer colors (colors with red, orange, and yellow as their base) can help a living room feel cosy. HGTV says that even the color of your furniture matters in a home. Color is used in both business and interior design to influence