A PALETTE OF EMOTIONS Whilst there remains much debate surrounding the psychophysiological effects of colour, colour remains an important factor in the physical learning environment and is proven to impact on student achievement. Many studies have shown that well planned educational facilities can improve learning and have beneficial effects on test results. Colour can increase concentration levels and provide an inspiring atmosphere for both work and play. Colour can also help to achieve aesthetically pleasing interiors and enhance surroundings. How colours affect us will vary to some degree between individuals and will inevitably be influenced by several factors including, society, upbringing, culture and race. However, recognisable patterns of colour responses have been identified and there are certain colours that are synonymous with generating a particular emotion and subconsciously drive us to take a particular action. It is clear that any strong colour will cause an immediate reaction that can be physiologically measured.
Red Positive: Physical courage, strength, warmth, energy, basic survival, Negative: Defiance, aggression, visual impact, strain Green Positive: Harmony, balance, refreshment, universal love, rest, restoration, reassurance, environment awareness, equilibrium, peace Negative: Boredom, stagnation, blandness Yellow Positive: Optimism, confidence, self esteem, extraversion, emotional strength, friendliness, creativity Negative: Irrationality, fear, emotional fragility, depression, anxiety Before making a final colour choice it’s worth considering the type of atmosphere that’s required. Colours such as shades of red, orange and yellow are perceived as warm colours and thus increase the perceived temperature of a space whilst the opposite is true of true blues and blue shades of green.
White Positive: Hygiene, sterility, clarity, purity, cleanness, simplicity, sophistication, efficiency Negative: sterility, coldness, barriers, unfriendliness, elitism Brown Positive: Seriousness, warmth, nature, earthiness, reliability, support Negative: Lack of humour, heaviness, lack of sophistication Violet Positive: Spiritual awareness, containment, vision, luxury, authenticity, truth, quality Negative: Introversion, decadence, suppression, inferiority Black Positive: sophistication, glamour, security, emotional safety, authority, efficiency, substance Negative: oppression, coldness, menace, heaviness Blue Positive: Intelligence, communication, trust, efficiency, serenity, duty, logic, coolness, reflection, calm Negative: coldness, lack of emotion, unfriendliness
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