Designing with Color

Designing with Color is never more interesting than in 2017 given the variety of mediums available to the design team. In the ever growing and evolving world of stone, tile and glass the possible ways to bring color into any space are more abundant than ever. Given the broad topic at hand, let’s take a look at the emotional impact and cultural significance of designing with eleven fundamental colors in Part One of this two part post.

Green – The mood of the color green is the essence of pure balance, with all the accompanying wonders of grace, harmony and ecological purity. Culturally, it is revered as the sacred color of Islam and as a festive happy color in Hinduism.

Black – The mood of black, from the standpoint of science, is another topic altogether.  However, for purposes of this post it is associated with elegance and formality. Culturally, the Christian world thinks of black in terms of absolutes such as Death, consequently most of Western thought accepts it as the color of mourning.

Brown – As a mood, brown projects an overall seriousness of purpose. Obviously, an earthiness is implied by intention but this is also a supportive color value. Culturally, the color in biblical settings is symbolic of wood and in Catholicism nearly universally represents the Earth.

Red – The mood of red is typically considered to be a physical color expression. Strength, power, urgency, directness and power are indicated. Culturally, in Buddhism red is the color of life force. In Hinduism this is the essence of sensuality and purity. The Christian world sees implied action.

Blue – The mood of blue may be intellectual, cool and aqueous but also aloof and overly airy. Sea and sky is to be beheld here. Culturally, blue in Buddhism may indicate ascension and in Judaism is symbolic of the air and is linked to Jacob. In Islam it is protective and associated with the great mosques.

Yellow – The mood is that yellow tends to drive emotion from optimism and confidence to anxiety and depression. But it also inspires creativity. Culturally, this is the color of knowledge and learning in the Hindu world, with its saffron derivative being sacred. Christians think of light and purity when thinking of yellow.

This is the first six colors that we intend to cover. In our next post we will complete the series, so stay tuned. Particular thanks are in order to the almost legendary work of Angela Wright on all aspects of color psychology. Her work can be found at www.colour-affects.co.uk