English scientist, Sir Isaac Newton, played a vital role in how we understand color today. In the late 1660s, Newton discovered that when pure white light passes through a prism, it separates into all colors visible to the human eye: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. These primary colors are the source of all other colors. Each of them is made up of a single wavelength and cannot be separated further. When mixed together, they can create other colors. For example, different shades of green can be created by mixing blue with yellow. Softer shades of color are created by adding white, while darker shades are created by adding black.
How does color affect emotion?
Color psychology is the study of color as factor in human behavior. The human connection to color stems from the innate need to survive. Red fire, though warm and comforting, can also be dangerous. Brightly colored snakes, though small, can be highly poisonous and deadly. Color acts an immediate signal for danger and reward. That is why it is often cleverly used in advertisement and design to provoke intentional emotion and behavior
Culture also plays a role in how we respond to color. Because how we react to color is a somewhat learned experience, passed down through our ancestors. So, people from around the world will be affected differently by color.
Picking Your Workspace Color
Color can impact a worker’s emotion and behavior. So, it is important to choose a work area’s color carefully. Red can be threatening, especially when used in large quantities. It can increase one’s heart rate and get one’s blood pumping faster. But when used sparingly, red can add that pop of color needed to boost a worker’s spirit and increase their productivity.
Green, a color of nature, is a more calming color. It represents vitality and optimism. A green room, in the entertainment industry, is a space where guests can relax and reenergize themselves before appearing on-screen. As a contemporary color, green could be the perfect accent or background shade a workspace needs for workers to feel at ease throughout the day.
Blue is soothing. As another color of nature, blue is reminiscent of tranquil waters and clear skies. It can lower one’s body temperature and slow their pulse, helping to relieve stress. It is a color traditionally used in the workplace because it balances serenity with productivity. But people in the food industry should reconsider decorating their workspaces with blue. Because there are not many naturally blue foods. Blue foods often a signal spoilage or poison.
When choosing the right colors for your workspace remember that some colors are complementary to each other: black/white, yellow/purple, green/red, and blue/orange. Light colors will brighten up a room by reflecting natural light, while dark colors can make a room feel smaller by absorbing light.
