The Basics of Color Theory

Color is relative and few people see two colors alike. One may tend to see more green in a blue than the person standing next to him even though they are looking at the same color from the same distance and angle and in the same light. The differences between individual perceptions are amazingly large. "The normal human eye is capable of discriminating approximately 7 million different colors, but there are only about 150 discernible wavelengths in the visible spectrum which stretches from approximately 380 to 780 mu. In turn, the average observer can name with a reasonable degree of accuracy only about twelve or thirteen of there wavelengths. (Sharpe, 53)" To alleviate some of the confusion a dictionary of over five thousand different color names was prepared, but since color names are restricted only by man's need and ingenuity, each year new ones are invented.

Color Preferences

There have been many studies of the color preferences of North American men and women. "When brightness and saturation are held the same for all colors, people have shown a preference for hues of shorter wavelengths; that is, the blues and greens are preferred to the yellows, reds, and oranges. (Sharpe, 54)" Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet is the order of colors in the spectrum; red being the longest and violet the shortest.

Research of color preference as related to achievement revealed a preference for melancholy blues and greens. A relationship between the preference for reds and yellows and low achievement was also noted. The researcher, Professor Knapp, drew the following historical parallel:

The Puritans, imbued with very strong achievement motivation, avoided all but the somberest of dress and ornament, imposing fines for the wearing of bright colors, destroyed the stained glass windows in churches, and cultivated unconditional austerity in dress and decor. They stand in dramatic contrast to the Cavaliers with their feudal and chivalric traditions of ascribed status, colorful dress, and fondness for indulgent living.

An inventory was taken on the color preferences of college students from the United States, Iran, Lebanon, and Kuwait among eight colors. Findings revealed that red and blue were highly preferred only by Americans. Red and blue had the lowest ranking in Kuwait. Blue-green was the most preferred color in Iran and Kuwait and the least preferred of the eight colors among the Americans. Green was consistently rated high by all four nationalities. Orange, yellow-green fluctuated within the middle range by all four nationalities. "The combined color preferences for all groups indicate that blue is significantly preferred by men and not preferred by women. Blue-green, however, was significantly preferred by the women in this study, although it should be noted that American women have indicated a preference for red on other surveys. (Sharpe 36)"

Another study was conducted using American and Lebanese students, male and female, at different levels of education. "The combined results show that green had a higher preference order at the later developmental stage than at the earlier stages. The later developmental stages are also characterized by a preference for blue and red and a non preference for blue-green, yellow and purple. (Sharpe, 37)"

Clearly color preferences vary among different geographic groups, different levels of education, and different philosophical orientations.

Physiological Influence of Color

Numerous research projects, using college students as an index of how adults associate mood tone and color "have generally indicated that red, yellow, and orange are associated with excitement, stimulation, and aggression; blue and green are associated with calm, security, and peace; black, brown, and gray are associated with melancholy, sadness, and depression; yellow is associated with cheer, gaiety, and fun; and purple is associated with dignity, royalty, and sadness. While there tends to be some overlap in colors, general categorizations show the warm end of the spectrum (red, yellow, orange) to be exciting and stimulating, and the cool end (green and blue) to be peaceful, cool, and restful. (Sharpe, 55)"

A specific example of the physiological influence of color on the human organism is indicated by citing the example of a woman who had a cerebellar disease and disturbance of equilibrium whose symptoms increased when she wore a red dress. Green and blue clothing had an opposite effect and restored her equilibrium almost to normal.

It is common knowledge that the moods of people are affected by environment, by ugliness and beauty, by sunny weather and rainy weather. Similarly, reactions to color are depressing, exciting, or calming. A bright, harmonious setting will improve most people's dispositions and in so doing, the vascular system, pulse, blood pressure, nervous and muscular tension are favorably affected. "Color brings about a reflex action upon the vascular system, if only through the feelings and emotions. (Birren, 47)"

Psychological Influence of Color

"In 1875 a European doctor by the name of Ponza fitted several rooms with colored-glass windows, colored walls, and colored furnishings. Red and blue were the colors principally used. Regarding red he wrote, "After passing three hours in a red room a man afflicted with taciturn delirium (habitually silent) became gay and cheerful; on getting up the day after his entry into the room, another madman who had refused all food asked for breakfast, and ate with surprising avidity." As to blue, "a violent case who had to be kept in a strait jacket was shut in the room with the blue windows; less than an hour afterwards he had become calmer. (Birren, 44)"

A three year study was conducted by Henner Ertel, director of an institute for rational psychology at Munich. This study was conducted among children to determine the impact of environmental color on learning capacity. Rooms with low ceilings were painted in different colors. The more popular colors were light blue, yellow, yellow-green and orange. "In these environments IQ could be raised as much as 12 points. So-called ugly colors - white, black, brown - caused a drop in IQ. Researchers found that the popular colors also stimulated alertness and creativity; white, black and brown playrooms made children duller. (Birren, 51)"

These findings provide strong reasons not to use white, gray, or colorless walls in any interiors where people will assemble and where "Physical comfort, visual efficiency, manual skill, and emotional poise are to be promoted. (Birren, 51)" Another one of Ertrel's findings is that the color orange improves social behavior, cheers the spirit, and lessened hostility and irritability.

Conclusion

We, as interior designers, need to take into consideration the emotional and physical affect different colors have on people.

Bibliography

The Psychology of Color and Design
Deborah T Sharpe, Nelson-Hall, Chicago

Color and Human Response
Faber Birren, Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York

The Perception of Color
Ralph M Evans, A Wiley-Interscience Publication, New York