12 PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF COLOUR

P. Sudha

Introduction:

The appeal colour is universal. One of our greatest enjoyments in life is our ability to use it aesthetically. It is almost impossible to imagine our world without colour. Colour removes the monotony of life and enhances the beauty of objects. We can develop colour sense through observing and analyzing coloured objects. We observe the colour of air and earth as a whole., for example in a landscape we observe the colours of plants and flowers as a whole in their harmonious surroundings. Each one of us, be it a small child, an adult or an elderly, love to see colour. We develop a sense of appreciating colour right from childhood. Colour, thus, plays a great role from the beginning of our life. Colour leaves an impression of our expression on others. In this module we discuss the psychological effects, use and application, effects of light upon colour, effects of colour and upon on colour.

Psychological effects of colour

The psychological value of a colour is a very important aspect of the impact of a work of art. The sensation, which we experience while seeing form and colour, is a psycho – psychological creative process. The eye receives energy information which is sent to the cerebral information which is sent to the cerebral cortex as nerve impulses. Here the translation of information from the material world appears suddenly. Thus translation comprises our world of visual experience, which is overpowering, three- dimensional and colourful. To a professional colour consultant, the psychological consicious and sub- conscious reaction to colour balance for objects and spaces from the colours available. It is evident that use of colours can create certain changes in our environment. So the choice of a colour not only reflects our personality and taste but also creates an emotional feeling about our home. Listed below are the psychological properties of the commonly used colours.

Yellow:

This is the colour of sun and artificial light has an effect of cheerfulness, gaiety, optimism, sympathy, warmth and crispness.

    Red:

Red is the colour of fire and blood. It is the expressive of heat, stimulation, activity, richness, splendor and dignity, power, movement, aggression, boldness and love.

Orange:

Associated with life and most vivid. It expresses energy, spirit, hope, courage and cordially.

Blue:

It is the colour of clear skies and deep water, and so is associated with coolness. It expresses distance, soothing to the nervous, depressing, truth, calmness, reserve, formality and lack of sympathy.

Green:

It is the colour of grass, leaves and naturally suggests rest, cool, refreshment, symbolically rebirth and suggestive of hope.

Brown:

It is the most useful of all colours. It has traditionally associated with ideas of humility, tranquility and gentleness.

Violet Associates with heroism and passion, mystery, dignity reflection and pomp. It has a soothing influence.

Pink:

Slightly simulating could be used in masses in bedroom and nursery

White:

It is the psychological feeling of clarity, luxury, delicacy, feminine, peace, honesty, reliability and trust.

Black:

It suggests mystery, wisdom, solidity and sophistication.

Grey:

It is produced by mixing black and white, so it may be warm or cool. It expresses the feeling of gentle, are maturity and experience.

COLOUR: USES AND APPLICATIONS

Colour co-ordination is magical. For uses and application of colour one can create any atmosphere or mood by studying and understanding the principles of colour harmony. These principles have been studied intently by philosophers, scientists and artists. From this, were developed several formalized colour scheme including the related and contrasting colour harmonies.

NATURE –BASED COLOUR SCHEME:

Nature provides bountiful ideas and these can be utilized successfully to make a variety of colour scheme and harmonies . We can divide nature –based colour scheme into two categories, as landscape –based, and nature object based

Landscape -Based Colour Scheme:

If we observe the colour of sea, sky, clouds, mountains, land covered with plants and trees and earth or barren land, we find that they do not have sharp colour and are large in area. The sky occupying the largest area is light biue; water in the sea/river/ canal also has the reflection of the same light blue; mountains are generally covered with either snow or light brown; trees and plants covered with green leave. Earth is of dull brown or ochre colour and trees are green.

But with all this, one will find a fantastic variety of fruits ,flowers, birds, insects, reptiles, animals, fish etc. in bright colour combination, though these are small in size Nature Object –Based ColourScheme :

Nature has created various creatures with variegated colour scheme. Observe a butterfuly, or a fish, or a flower. This will give the cue to a colour scheme. A butterfuly might give a colour scheme of lemon /golden yellow, brown, black and white. Or aflower might lead to a colour scheme of lilac and white accentuated with violet and green. Or a Pandamight decide a colourscheme of black and white and with accent provided by brown or a rose shurb will give two distinct colour –red and green. While we find green covering larger areas are leaves and stems, and red is seen in smaller account are the rose flower. The yellow pollens and some dry brown twigs provide accents and backgrounds, respectively.

Mechanical BasedColour Scheme

It includes

·         Harmonies of related colours,

·         Harmonies of contrasting colour Harmonies of related colours:

They are based on either a single hue or a series of analgous hues, and promteharmoney and unity. According to this criterion, the following are the related colour scheme

• Monochromatic
• Analogous
•   Netural

1.      Monochromatic Colour Scheme

Monochromatic means of one colour. Under this scheme only one hue and its different

values and intensities areuesd. The popular scheme of beige brown, and orange is a truly monochromatic scheme.An example is that red can be uesd with its various intensities giving vermilion, carmine, crimson etc. and various values in high –key giving Alps red, peach , flesh tint, indian red, brown etc.

Monochromatic colour scheme can easily and successfully be used in small rooms but not ideal for large rooms. The colour scheme is the simplest and easiest to use for any beginner in interior decoration

2. Analogous Colour Scheme

Analogous colour scheme is one that combine colours that are adjacent to one another in the colour wheel. In this colour scheme, colours situated next to each other on the colour wheel of a prang colour system are used. It generally uses one colour as its major force with the two neighbouring colours as secondary forces, eg., yellow with yellow – green and green or blue with blue- green and blue- purple. Analogous colour scheme is much more interesting than a monochromatic colour scheme.

3.      Neutral Colour Scheme

The neutrals are black, white and grey. But  in interiors, wheat, beige, off-white and the high values of each hue are also considered as neutrals. As they do not represent any single colour, they all can safely be used in neutral colour schemes.

A neutral colour such as beige or brown with an accent colour for breaking the monotony can be used in this colour scheme. Colour Schemes built entirely around neutrals are very restful, but texture and patterns must be used to prevent the design from becoming dull, boring or monotonous. Therefore, this colour, scheme should be used in limited areas or for limited periods in any room.

The neutral scheme became popular because of its adaptability to both traditional and contemporary style.

Black – and – white schemes are highly dramatic because of their strong contrast, For example a scheme could be developed with more than two – thirds of the area with white and less than one third with black – Such a colour scheme should always be used with caution and in limited areas.

1. Complementary Colour Scheme

It is based on two colours found opposite to each other in the colour wheel. These colours need not necessarily be used in their pure and they can be used in many values or intensities to have variety. A complementary colourscheme can be developed from a monochromatic colour scheme accentuated with a complementary colour or an even balance of two colours.

The complementary colours are:

·         Yellow and Purple

·         Red and Green

·         Blue and Orange

·         Yellow green and red purple

·         Blue green and red orange

·         Blue purple and yellow orange

Thus, in all, they make six complementary colour schemes.

A complementary colourscheme is a stimulating, vivid and bright colour scheme .It provides a combination of both a warm and a cool colour, thereby results in a balanced combination.

2.  Double Complementary Colour This colour scheme is somewhat similar to a complementary colour scheme- the only difference being the ofcolours used – two in a complementary and four in a double complementary. If a narrow ‘X’ is superimposed on the colour wheel then there will be two sets of complementary colours with which to work. Two adjacent colours and their complements when used together form double complementary harmonies like the combination of -purple and red purple with yellow and yellow –green.

This colourscheme is exciting, lively and sophisticated. Besides, it also provides more variety than a simple complementary colour scheme. Since thiscolour scheme provides a combination of both warm and cool colours, they can be successfully used in any room size, whether big or small. They provide a good background in a nursery or a child’s room. They are also ideal for use in common rooms like living or a lounge. some of the examples of a double complementary colour schemes are:

• Yellow and yellow orange with purple and blue purple
• Yellow orange and orange with blue and blue purple
•  Orange and red orange with blue and blue green
• Red and red purple with green and yellow green.

3.    Split Complementary

Colour In this colour scheme, one colour is combined with the two colours on each side of its complement. One might select a hue and combine it with the colours that are on either side of its complement as though placing a narrow- angled “Y” on the colour wheel.

This provides three colours to work. An odd number of colours combined together always yield a good effect as a colour scheme in a room. By varying their intensities and values some interesting combinations can be worked out. For example, if orange is chosen, the split complements used are blue – green and blue- violet and these colours in varying values on different textures would provide variety in their use, similarity, the following combinations can also be worked out to prepare split complementary colour schemes.

• Yellow with blue purple and red purple
• Yellow green with purple and red
• Green with red Purple and red orange.
• Blue green with red and orange.

4.      Triads:

An equilateral triangle placed on the prang colour wheel will point to three equi- distantcolours that form the triad. Turning the triangle will point out different combinations. In the prang chart, there is a primary triad –when the three primary colours fall at the tips of the triangle (red, blue and yellow) and secondary triad (green, orange and purple). There are two intermediate triads -yellow – orange, blue – green and red –purple and other is yellow – green, blue – purple and red – orange Triads are the richest of all colour harmonies if well used, but they are the ones which need most careful treatment. In intense tones, such combinations might be suitable for a playroom or a nursery room because these are closing colours. But when these colours are sudued, the combination becomes the one that is often found in elegant rooms.

Procedure for making a colour scheme for a room:

The general procedure for preparing a colour scheme is as follows

1.      Consider the colour scheme of the adjoning rooms.

2.      Decide on the background colour.

3.      Procure samples of fabrics, wall papers, and paints.

4.      Select a colour scheme from a fabric, wall paper, or picture.

5.      Plan the colour proportions. (large, medium, or small areas)

6.      Plan the values of the chosen hues. (light and dark)

7.      Plan the variations in intensity of the chosen hues. (bright or greyed)

8.      Draw floor plans locating the furniture as areas to be coloured

9.      Draw wall plans locating areas for draperies and furniture.

10.  On the plans write colour names or paint the colours.

11.  Collect the necessary material.

12.  Execute the plan.

Uses and Application of ColoursFor Different Rooms

Entrance Hall

The entrance hall often has much the same type of coloring as the living room, although in larger houses it is frequently more impersonal and dignified in colour than the living room. In an apartment or small house where an entrance hall is only a passage – way, it should be decidedly decorative and colorful. Since a hall has very little furniture, interest should be provided by colourful treatment of floors or walls.

Living Room

A Living room should express cheer and hospitality along with restfulness and relaxation. Therefore its colour scheme needs to be cheerful but not over stimulating, and characterful but not obtrusive; fairly light, warm colours are usually the most desirable for living rooms except in a summer home or in a tropical home, where a simple cool scheme such as white walls and a blue celling and floors is refreshing. In a living room it is desirable to keep the colour interest and contrast on the general level of the occupants and furnishings, and not on the floor, walls, or ceiling

Dining Room

In a formal home in naturally in the same character as the house so its colour scheme is conservative and dignified.

Colours such as lettuce green, shrimp pink, butter yellow, lemon yellow, watermelon rose, or tomato red have refreshing and delicious implications. The addition of white is desirable, particularly if white is used on the table

Kitchen

A kitchen colourscheme should be cheerful, light, and bright. Cool colours are thought to counteract the heat of cooking. The colour of the sink, range, and refrigerator, which should all be alike must be the basis for the colour scheme. When these three articles are white or pale grey,they are most easily fitted into a room design

BED ROOM :

A bed room, colour scheme is usually more personal than any other;its domination colour might well be the favorite colour of the occupant.A master bed room uesd by both husband and wife should contain colour expressive of both . A man’s room or a boy’sroom should be masculine, with rich characterful colours, possibly combined with natural wood. A woman’s room or a girl’s room should be bright and feminine and harmonious with her own coloring. A pretty, colourful room helps to develop a girl’s personality. Children’s rooms are often finished with coloured decorations placed at the children’s eye level

BATH ROOM   :

Bath room walls and fixtures should usually be white, for hygienic as well as aesthetic reason.In general, coloured fixtures have proved to be tiresome. However, one bright clear positive colour is needed in a bathroom; it should be used on the floor or on the upper walls and ceiling and in towels, mats, curtains, and shower curtains. Bathrooms are ofen decorated in colours that suggest water, like green, blue, violet, or grey.

GAMES ROOM :

Colour scheme should be bold and vigorous. The whole effect should be amusing, with colourful background supplying interest, since furniture is scarce. The walls might be painted in a warm , bright, solid colour such as coral or lemon yellow, or two walls might be painted in stripes, check, or plaids. Mural paintings and decorations suggesting a circus, a ship or a garden might be effective.

In planning the colour for the whole house, it is better to begin by sketching each room. Separate sheets can be prepared for each room and rough sketches of its shape, window placements, and furniture arrangement can help to provide a base for filling them with suitable colours using pencils orcyayons. Once this is done for every room, they can be spared on the floor in sequence. A close analysis will give an idea about the strengths and mistakes in the scheme. The sketch can then be re done to remove the mistakes.

Effects of light upon colour

Light is an important element in determining the beauty and comfort of a home. The basic function of a lighting arrangement is to illuminate the form and space of an interior environment. It allows its users to undertake and perform various activities in a comfortable and efficient manner. Thus good lighting design is a factor to determine not only its aesthetic aspect, but also itsfunctional efficiency.

Similar to colour and lighting, walls and ceilings in a room, contribute in designing the interiors. They provide a major aesthetic background on which the additional factors for decoration can be placed. Besides providing safety and insulation against climatic changes and dampness, they prove to be the status symbols on account of the elaborate decorations on the walls and ceilings of a house.In the absence of light, there is darkness and therefore, no colour is made visible. Thus colour and light are closely related. Incandescent lighting has a yellowish tint whereas the fluorescent tubes generally impart a bluish cast. Both the intensity of artificial light and its source, whether incandescent or fluorescent tend to distort colours. When one needs to select some fabric of a specific colour, one should try it under natural light as well as in home lighting conditions since most shops use bright commercial, fluorescent lighting as a rule.

Considering architectural features light is incredibly important when choosing colour for the room and one should consider which direction the room faces and whether it has a receiving lot of sun light. Natural light colours varies according to both the quality and type of natural light and the same colour can often appear quite different from room to room.

Determining the direction of the room will help to understand what level of natural light if receives

North facing room

North facing rooms can be challenging to decorate. As light from the north is cooler and harsher. These rooms receive sunlight throughout most of the day so avoid using bold and cool colours.

South facing rooms

Receive very little natural sunlight throughout the day so may appear cooler. Using colours with a warmer feel (red, yellow and orange) with a mix of incandescent lighting to bring out the warm tones. South facing rooms are a joy to decorate.

East facing roomsreceive sunlight in the morning and will appear cooler as the day wears on. Think about using incandescent lighting to create a warm atmosphere in the evening.

West facing rooms

It seems to cooler in the mornings but will receive sunlight as the day wears on. White will really enhance both natural and artificial light in west facing rooms. Depending on the level of natural light a room receives, need to consider he colour and lighting scheme according to the mood would like to set. The most important thing we need to understand is that black, dark colours absorb the light and white, light colours reflect it. If a room receives little natural light, can use lighter colours to try and reflect what little it gets

Effects of colour upon colour

The colours lying opposite to each other in the colour chart are called complementary or contrasting colours. Complementary colours are yellow versus purple, red versus green, and orange versus blue. Sometimes, the effect of one colour upon another is so strong that in the eye of the observer non-existent hues will appear. After gazing at a colour for about half a minute, a new colour called ‘after image’ may be produced. The after image is a complement of the original hue and can change the appearance of the colour even while one is looking at it. This is because of the fact that when the sensitive nerves of the eye which permit us to see colour become tired of looking too long at a hue, the nerves register the colour less and less vividly. The original colour becomes duller and an impression remains in the eye of its complementary colour. Similarly, if one looks fixedly at a spot of bright orange colour for about half a minute and then looks at white surface, a bluish-green spot will appear on the white surface

Conclusion:

Colour is one of the most fascinating tools to work with in decorating. It can do wonders if used with imagination. Colour is often the decorator’s favourite element, probably because it is important in establishing the mood and the personality of a home. Colour brings an atmosphere into our homes through our conscious choice of a few fashionable colour accents. So colour is the most significant in decorating interiors, as it removes the monotony of life and enchase the beauty of the house.

References

1. Premlatha.M., 2002, Text Book of Homescience, Kalyani Publishers, New Delhi.
2. PratabR.M, 1988, Interior Design Principles and Practice, Standard Publishers, New Delhi
3. Sterwart.W, (1997) The Complete Home Decorator, Annes Publishers, New york.
4. Premavathy.S and ParveenPanner, Interior Design and Decoration, CBS Publishers and Distributors, New Delhi.