Affects of Color

By: Staci Cobabe

In which square does the red square appear largest?

Red appears more brilliant against a black background and somewhat duller against the white background. In contrast with orange, the red appears lifeless; in contrast with blue-green, it exhibits brilliance. Notice that the red square appears larger on black than on other background colors.

RED• Body: increase blood pressure, stimulate adrenal gland (adrenaline)

• Mind: can aggravate, anger, represents sexuality

PINK• Body: is opposite of red, relaxes and calms

• Mind: represents protection and warmth, unselfish Love

ORANGE• Body: stimulates sexual organs, aids digestion and immune system

• Mind: Only positives: anti-depressant, dispels self-pity, lack of self worth and unwillingness to forgive.

YELLOW• Body: stimulates brain, energizes, activates lymph system, irritating to eyes when bold, 1st color our eyes see

• Mind: Lighter shades can be comforting and cheery

GREEN• Body: relaxes muscles, helps breathe deeper and slower

• Mind: Balances and soothes emotions, feelings of comfort, laziness, relaxation, calmness.

BLUE• Body: lowers blood pressure,

Appetite suppressant

• Mind: Relaxing, calming, helps eliminate insomnia

• Darker blue helps pituitary gland, sleep cycle, and bone marrow. But too much can be depressing .

INDIGO• Body: Is used sometimes as an anesthetic narcotic

• Mind: Stimulates intuition and imagination.

PURPLE• Body: Hunger suppressant, balances body’s metabolism

• Mind: Balances the mind, transforms obsessions and fears-associated with beauty and peace.

BROWN• Represents earth, solidity, and

strength

• Preferred more by men than women

• Shades of brown help other colors appear richer & brighter

BLACK• Represents power, sophistication and formality

• Makes other colors stand out in contrast

WHITE• Represents cleanliness and purity

• White clothing and interior spaces feel cooler in warm climates

GRAY• Represents independence and self

reliance

• Sometimes negative feelings = evasion or non-commitment, separation, lack of involvement, and loneliness.

• Light grays with pastel shades = feminine

• Darker colors = more masculine feel

• Cool a warm palette by adding gray to rich reds or golden yellows.

MONOCHROMATIC•All shades of one color, with black and white accents

•Very clean presentation •Very soothing to the eye

ANALGOUS• 3 colors next to each other on color wheel

• One color is usually dominant and the others are accents

WARM HUES• Reds, Oranges, Yellows and

Browns

• Add warmth and energy to setting, make room feel smaller, cozy

• Colors pop, exciting to the eye

COOL HUES• Blues, Greens, Purples, and Whites

• Add coolness, crispness to a room, make room seem larger

• Calming to the eye

COMPLIMENTARY COLORSBLACK & WHITE

RED & GREENORANGE & BLUE

YELLOW & PURPLE

Colors pop, but can be overwhelming to the eye if used too much, using a different shade of one color may be better.

Colors Based on Nature• Very pleasing to the eye & colors pop

“The chief function of color should be

to serve expression.”

~Henri Matisse