Color Psychology Notes
• Black: Power
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Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes
people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies
submission. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem
aloof or evil.
• White: Purity
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Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is
considered a summer color.
White is the color of ultimate purity. This color brings feelings of peace and
comfort while it dispels shock and despair. White can be used to give yourself a
feeling of freedom and uncluttered openness. Too much white can give feelings of
separation and can be cold and isolation.
• Gray: Lonely
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Psychological Effect: Gray is the color of independence and self-reliance,
although usually thought of as a negative color. It can be the color of evasion and
non-commitment (since it is neither black nor white.) Gray indicates separation,
lack of involvement and ultimately loneliness.
• Red : Passionate/ energetic
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The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and
breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the
wearer appear heavier.
The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and
breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the
wearer appear heavier.
• Pink: Relaxing/ romantic
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The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing.
Helps muscles relax.
Red is sometimes associated with sexuality, whereas pink is associated with
unselfish love.
• Orange : Stimulating
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Orange Can be benefitial to the digestive system and can strengthen the immune
system.
Psychological Effect: Orange has shown to have only positive affects on your
emotional state. This color relieves feelings of self-pity, lack of self-worth and
unwillingness to forgive. Orange opens your emotions and is a terrific
antidepressant.
• Blue: Refreshing
The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It
causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to
Color Psychology Notes
produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Fashion consultants
recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty.
• Low Intensity Blue: Depressing
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Shortly after moving to Paris from Barcelona, Picasso began to produce works
that were suffused in blue. This particular pigment is effective in conveying a
sombre tone. The psychological trigger for these depressing paintings was the
suicide of Picasso's friend Casagemas. The Blue Period work is quite sentimental,
but we must keep in mind that Picasso was still in his late teens, away from home
for the first time, and living in very poor conditions.
• Green: Refreshing/ Nature
Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the
easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color.
Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is
masculine, conservative, and implies wealth.
Green creates feelings of comfort, laziness, relaxation, calmness. It helps us
balance and soothe our emotions. Some attribute this to its connection with nature
and our natural feelings of affiliation with the natural world when experiencing
the color green.
• Yellow: Happy
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Yellow is a happy and uplifting color. It can also be associated with intellectual
thinking: discernment, memory, clear thinking, decision-making and good
judgment.
Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic
color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms. It is the most
difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused.
Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds
metabolism.
• Purple: Royalty/ wealth
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Purples have been used in the care of mental of nervous disorders because they
have shown to help balance the mind and transform obsessions and fears. Violet is
associated with bringing peace and combating shock and fear. Violet has a
cleansing effect with emotional disturbances. Also, this color is related to
sensitivity to beauty, high ideals and stimulates creativity, spirituality and
compassion.
Purple is often associated with royalty and wealth
• Brown: Reliable/ Earthy
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Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown
implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can
also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite
colors.