Colour Psychology

Ritika Gupta
Student
Department of Planning and Architecture
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, India

Abstract
This research aims to study and discuss the human psychology behind colours, and,
perception and effects of colours on the human mind, and, how they can be applied in
building design. The culture, gender, country, and religions also play a very important role in
the colour selection. The purpose of space and the user group governs the colour selection of
the space. Colours have a very strong impact on the human mind; they affect humans both
psychologically and physiologically and can create positive and negative effects on the
human mind. Interior designs and exterior facade designs are also governed by the
psychological properties of different colours. In a building design colour also impacts the
form, appearance, texture, and scale of building.

Keywords: colour selection, impact on the human mind, psychological properties

1. Introduction
Colour is a very essential part of human life. It is a means for us to perceive not only the
natural environment but also the man-made architectural environment. (Mahnke, 2007).
Empirical studies over the century have proven that the perception of architectural space is
predominantly driven by colour. Colours guides our associative, symbolic, emotional, and
synesthetic perceptions and our impression towards architecture and spaces as well. These
perceptions of nature and architecture drive the goal of the design especially when the choice
of colour is concerned, or in a place where psychological mood or ambiance has to be created
in support of the primary function of the space (BSBG Media Blog, 2019).

The role of architects and designers to create comfortable environments has become
increasingly important as cities are becoming overcrowded and we spend even less time in
touch with nature. The colour choices made by them is not only limited to the aesthetic but it
also has a direct influence on millions of people’s lives. When designing, the designer or the
architect must consider the final product’s purpose, user, and how often it will be used. In the
case of a building or space: the age of the user group and the flow of people entering and
exiting are also considered. The architect has to choose colours, knowing the response, which
is best suited for the people using that environment, and select colours that will have the best
possible effect.

2. Colour Psychology
Colour is omnipresent. Without even realizing our moods and emotions get greatly
influenced by it. Colours are primarily categorised into 3 types, each conveys a different
feeling like warm, cool, and neutral. Let’s discuss each category with examples:
 • Warm Colours
Primary colours like Red and Yellow and the combination of these like orange,
variations of pink, etcetera comes under warm colours. The reason behind calling it
warm colours is that these are the colours of fire and sun. These colours convey
optimism, enthusiasm, and passion.
• Cool Colours
Blue is the primary colour that comes under the cool category. Green, blue, purple,
and the combinations or variations of these colours forms the cool spectrum. The
reason behind calling it cool colours is that these are the colour of water and mostly
found in nature with a peaceful or calming effect on the human mind. These colours
have a calming, relaxing, and subdued effect on human minds.
• Neutral Colours
Colours like brown, black and white, and the variations of them are called neutral
colours. They are the tones of earth and are self-sophisticated. They are typically used
in combination with warm or cool colours.

The use of colours for different purposes has proved itself to be very advantageous and
effective. Take, for example, emergency entrance in hospitals where ‘EMERGENCY’ is
written in bold red, or, the stop-sign in red, or, the sale advertisement in bold red, people not
only stop to read it, but it also expresses the urgency to take action. The meaning of colours
are conveyed in two primary ways that are when people associate the colour with other things
and psychological symbolism. Here are a few psychological symbolism of colours:

2.1. Cultural Differences

Symbolism of colour changes with the change in place, region, religion, people, and Country.
China perceives Red as a colour of good luck but in South Africa Red is the colour of
mourning. In western countries, black is used as the colour of mourning while white is used
in East Asian countries. In India, even in Christian weddings, mostly all brides wear white,
yet it is usually relieved by a touch of some other colour. It is believed that if a married
woman in India wears unrelieved white, she is inviting widowhood and unhappiness.
Americans associate green with money and so is the colour of dollars but that isn’t denoted as
the colour of money in any other place. In the US green is the colour of envy, while in
Germany it’s yellow. Colour selection is a very sensitive approach when it comes to Religion,
Country, and the place or type of building concerned.

2.2. Gender
Colours may also change in significance over time: In the nineteenth century, parents dressed
infants in white dresses which suggested that colours don’t distinguish between girls and
boys. But in the early twentieth century pink was designated for girls and blue for boys
whereas it’s completely opposite now where red used to be seen as a strong, masculine colour
while blue was a feminine colour suited for girls (Pettorini, 2007).

The impression of colour, and, the impact it has on people is very important in creating the
psychological mood or ambiance that supports the function of a space. Studies have shown
that colour is the international visual language understood by all whether its men, women,
children, adult, laymen, architect, or even animals.

Few emotions which are associated with the respective colours are strength, passion, and
aggression by Red; peace, trustworthiness, and tranquillity by Blue; vibrancy and
cheerfulness by Yellow, and friendliness and creativity by Orange.

3. Importance of Colour in Architecture

Colour is an important feature in designing any space, not only aesthetically but it also plays
a very important role on our moods, decisions, and everything we do in our daily lives.
The meaning of colour can produce sensations, many of them develop naturally, and others
we have learnt them culturally and aren’t the same for all the countries. Before colour
selection, a designer has to be very sensitive in learning the background of the user group and
purpose. Harmony of colour and architecture is important in creating a common visual space
(DETEA, 2018). An environment with cold colours like blue, indigo, purple and green can
lower the temperature whereas warm colours like red, orange or yellow can increase the
temperature. The kind of colour we want to use in a space will affect forcefully both to the
way we understand the building and how we feel it. Lighting also plays a very important role
along with the colours. The exterior and interior lighting of the buildings determine the way
we understand the colour. It enhances our perception of the applied colour.

Here are some examples of how the use of colours in different spaces affects the user groups:

3.1. Hospital
Colours are major component of environmental design, particularly in healthcare spaces as it
is connected to mental, physiological, and social responses of people, as well as the aesthetic
and technical aspects of man-made environment. Picking a colour palette for a particular
setting may rely upon a few components including geographical location, characteristics of
potential users (predominant culture, age, and so forth.), different types of activities that may
be performed in each functional unit of the hospital and the types of hospital like paediatric
wards, cancer hospital and so on, and the nature and character of the light sources, and the
size and shape of the space (Ruth et al., 2004).

Different patients require different surroundings for healing the mind which can also be
achieved by colour selection of different spaces in a therapeutic building. Alleviating hues
can inspire positive care, and, encourages patients to support the development versatile
remedial tendencies to build up a closer understanding. Colour schemes can improve
environmental friendliness and can change the personality of a person by creating feelings of
positive emotional adjustment. (Assent, 2014).

3.2. Office
The colour palette and tones chose for any workplace can possibly have a significant effect
on the worker’s efficiency, work environment prosperity and their overall state of mind.
Picasso quoted that ‘Colours, like features follow the changes of the emotions.’
Colour choice incorporates an enormous number of factors, for example, people responding
differently to various visual upgrades, the fluctuation in tones of similar colour and how
various hues are blended with each other. With respect to specific colours and colour
combinations it is discovered that:

• Blue is usually used in working environment as it can increase the efficiency

of workers, and is often used in open plan work spaces.
• Yellow is seen as an idealistic colour and can increase innovativeness and can
be found in lots of creative workspace, especially in regions intended for
cooperation.
• Red increases productivity yet shouldn't be used in vast spaces. It is mostly
found in break out spaces and small meeting rooms.
• Green is less brutal on the eyes; it can reduce fatigue and give calming effect
to the user.
• White can make certain spaces look bigger yet doesn't imply that it should be
used frequently. (Bhardwaj, 2018)

3.3. Educational Institutions

Colour plays a vital role in the atmosphere of Educational Institutions apart from the other
necessary features like space, structures, education, etcetera. Colours when used properly can
reduce stress, calm mind, protect eyes, create an atmosphere for learning and can provide
good mental health for the students and staff as well. In time, studies have confirmed that
children having the discomfort, loss of attention, and problems related to behaviour are the
result of spaces they live in or the environment they occupy. Spaces which are not planned as
per the user group, that is the use of user-friendly colour, proper lighting can greatly affect
the users in many ways. (Etkisi, 2017)
Elementary school students or kindergarten students are restless. They need more attention
and concentration in their work which can be boosted by the proper choice of the colour of
the space. For the age group of 5-10 years bright energetic colours are used. The wall colour
chosen for the wall faced by students and the wall faced by teachers should differ from the
other two walls to ensure that they don’t strain their eyes by looking at the same colour and
same tone all day and their eyes are rested. The wall faced by teachers should be relaxing and
different from that of students as the user and age is changing from student to teacher. The
colour of the wall having blackboard should be relaxing and it should draw continuous
attention of the students towards blackboard. (Mahnke, 1987)
As the user group changes from elementary to high school the age of the user group changes
and the taste of colours with that. This group of students ranging from 11 to 16 years are
more into cool colours than warm ones. Maturity and calmness in nature is depicted by the
colours chosen by this age group. More focus and concentration are expected by the students
of this age group unlike elementary students which are more energetic in the classroom.
Hence, soft colours are used in their classrooms. Colours like Beige, light shades of green and
blue can be used in the classrooms of this age group. (Etkisi, 2017)
4. Conclusion
The relation of colour and its effects on emotions is based on the perception of colour and the
environment and emotional relationships individuals have experienced, which cause them to
make a connection between colours and emotions. Preference of colours by different age
groups and the emotional impact on them can be determined by the opinion of the majority
and the conventionally used colours. As an architect we play a major role on human lives by
designing a space which can give the users a comfortable environment and peace of mind. In
todays era where people are busy in their day-to-day life, having very less time to spend in
nature. We as an architect can change their lives with the colours by enhancing their
experience of different spaces where they spend most of their time and can also make them
feel connected to nature. For giving this experience, knowing the user group is very important
as the selection of colours and its impact on the user is very important and is completely
governed by the variables like user’s country, religion, culture, religion, age and many more.
Selection of colour is very subjective can never be pre-determined.
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