The Meaning of Colours in Design

Colours impact our mood, our appetite, our energy level. colours

In web design colours play powerful role - make us feel and react certain way. 

In corporate design colours are critical to building the brand’s image. Specific colour scheme used effectively and consistently throughout all marketing materials creates more unified and familiar look, associates those colours with a company.

By using colour psychology, you can send a positive or negative message, encourage sales, calm a crowd, or make ones heart to beat faster.

Here is a meaning of basic colours which will help you to make your colour choices wisely from the start!

YELLOW

• Associated with: comfort, liveliness, intellect, happiness, energy, laughter, happiness, optimism, cowardice
• Recognized as: creative, young, visible, bright, lively, cheerful, light, curious, playful, nutritious, eye-catching, attention-grabbing, cowardly

ORANGE

• Associated with: enthusiasm, ambition, creativity, cheerfulness, affordability, stimulation
• Recognized as: Welcoming, warning, festive, active, excited, communicative, inspiring, cosy, helpful, friendly

RED

• Associated with: energy, strength, boldness, leadership, career goals, determination, fast action, movement, excitement, cheerfulness, passion, desire, love, life, courage, danger, risk, war, blood, bravery, aggression
• Recognized as: Powerful, vital, dynamic, energetic, romantic, seductive, passionate, commanding, alert, rebellious, complementary, visible, hot, fiery, fun, drawing attention, eye-catching, noticeable

PURPLE

• Associated with: power, wealth, prosperity, rich sophistication, nobility, luxury, mystery, royalty, elegance, magic, wisdom, respect
• Recognized as: intelligent, artistic, aloof, luxurious, royal, vain, fantastic, melancholic, feminine, fragrant, solemn

GREEN

• Associated with: reliability, safety, honesty, optimism, harmony, freshness, durability, growth, nature, money, wealth, envy, good luck, generosity, fertility, peace, harmony, support, good energy
• Recognized as: reliable, safe, honest, patient, natural, adventurous, relaxed, athletic, lucky, balanced, safe, conservative, musculine

BLUE

• Associated with: depth, stability, professionalism, loyalty, reliability, honour, trust, dependability, wisdom, loyalty
• Recognized as: peaceful, formal, trustworthy, reliable, firm, determined, educated, clean, free, deep, technical

BLACK

• Associated with: elegance, sophistication, formality, strength, mystery, authority, power, stability and strength, intelligence, evil, grieving
• Recognized as: elegant, formal, powerful, serious, conservative, sophisticated, conventional, mysterious, sexy

WHITE

• Associated with: cleanliness, purity, harmony, truth, new beginnings, virginity, peace, innocence, simplicity, safety, neutrality, creativity, spirituality, precision, positivity, union, goodness, heroism
• Pure, clean, new, innocent, simple

Some useful links:

• Colour Lovers
• Adobe Kuler
• Color Unleashed App
• Color Expert App
• myPantone App
• Beautifully crafted websites for colour inspirations and more