“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.”
Wassily Kandinsky.
Color. What can we say that hasn’t been said before-We're immersed in it. Right from the get go (color-in-the-lines lessons in pre-school), the color spectrum surrounds and informs everything we do. And yet, for most of us, color remains, by and large, a mystery. There has been numerous studies about color and the impact it has on our psyche. Over the years people involved in the arts (whether an artist, graphic designer, architect or interior designer) have successfully de-coded how Color can assist their work by emitting and creating emotions with positive results. As an example- PINK color soothes the nerves and is often used for anger management purposes. Other documented cases for PINK color have found that it can be used as a vehicle to tranquilize people, PINK color has been found to have palliative effects on people- furthermore as explained by Dr. Alexander Schauss director of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma, Washington has said; “PINK color can effectively suppress anger and anxiety in prisoner populations, The heart muscles can't race fast enough. It's a tranquilizing color that saps your energy. Even the color-blind are tranquilized by pink rooms”.
There’s also an almost worldwide general consensus that the color BLUE is the most common favorite color. However men and women have different second-favorite colors, The second-most-popular color in the University of Maryland poll showed some gender split, with 27 percent of women citing purple as their second-favorite, while 25 percent of men pointed to green. While it’s been scientifically proven that women and men see the color RED differently. RED is the first color a baby sees. Other facts not so known are: YELLOW and RED make you hungry or that Sir Isaac Newton invented the color wheel, to name a couple.
Eva Heller’s book, Wie Farben auf Gefuhl und Verstand wirken (Psychology of Color) published by Droemer Verlag, Munich 2004- provides a thorough study on color based on interviews to over 2000 people, with ages ranging from 14-97 years old, of all sorts of professional backgrounds and gives a deep analysis on color, its combinations and the psychological effects on users. Her studies show that color and feelings (emotions) are not combined by mere coincidence. Its associations are not a matter “of taste”, but rather universal experiences rooted deeply since childhood within our language and train of thought. The psychological symbolism and historical traits allow us to elaborate why this happens in such way.
Designing your house is not designing your practice. I have been fortunate to have been involved in both markets- Residential, is all about personal likes and tastes, and though it requires a thorough analysis of your clients needs, you can accommodate their needs and desires with an exotic color AT a determined location. A totally different approach is involved in Commercial projects, specially medical. Waiting areas should transmit tranquility, serenity and peace of mind. People in waiting areas are generally nervous (I remember waiting while my dad was having heart surgery- the experience in itself was nerve-wracking add insult to injury my immediate environment didn’t make things easier) It was poorly lit, it had grey colored walls, with dark blue furniture over white marble floors (this was 11 years ago). That scenario was built up in my subconscious- that combination of elements (floor, walls and ceilings) reminds me of death- as I was in that space when I found out my father had passed away. This color combination while irrelevant to many, to me- is a color combination associated with a tragic event. I have nothing against blue color or white for that matter it was just how the elements were arranged and presented that left a negative impact in my subconscious.
I have learned this much over my years as a designer..-Creativity is made up of one-third talent, one-third external influences that encourage certain qualities and one-third a sound command of acquired knowledge in which creativity is developed. Whoever is not knowledgeable about the universal effects and symbolism in color and is only guided by his/her intuition will always be in disadvantage by those who have achieved supplementary knowledge.
JL-B
In the Architecture of Luis Barragan, color is a fundamental element of his work- walls are no longer walls-they become a colored canvas charged with an acute level of spirituality -resulting in spaces where its users are taken to a new state of mindfulness and awareness.
Color has long been associated with productivity. Here a good example, a blue wall on a room where neutrals and whites predominate- can create a spark on the workplace.
Natural light (plenty of) is a good complement to color- it’s a natural enhancer and makes the most out of the properties of a certain color. In this case a mint green wall with earth color found in the reception desk, results in an inviting and relaxing waiting area.