Is it the color itself that influences emotions, or is it the reputation society has given them that has impacted the essence of colors and their meanings?
There is no escaping the world of color. It is everywhere. Each color is associated with an emotion and is manipulated in nearly every aspect of everyday life, whether it be advertising, politics, or the color of hospital walls.
Colors are a form of non-verbal communication; their impact on us can change daily, depending on our varying moods. Whether one’s mood is relayed through what he or she chooses to wear, or through the red his or her face blushes to be, every tint of color we see in someone subconsciously lets us know a piece of information concerning his or her emotions.
Psychology teacher Meghan Roarty explains the power of colors and their meanings: “Neuroscience research has shown that the color of ambient light can significantly affect mood. Specifically, exposure to blue light has been linked to mood- related disorders, such as depression.
Using this knowledge, businesses and graphic artists have intelligently collaborated to create the most affective and stimulating color combinations in their logos in order to attract consumers. Companies such as McDonalds, Ferrari, National Geographic, and Denny’s utilize the color yellow to promote optimism, friendliness, and warmth. Establishments who use multiple colors in their logos such as NBC, Ebay, and Google advocate for diversity and contrast. On the other hand, companies such as Whole Foods, Starbucks, Land Rover, and Tropicana strive to paint a picture of peace and growth.
On the other hand, some enterprises purposefully choose to eliminate all color from their logos to symbolize balance and sophistication: consider the logos of Apple, The New York Times, Honda, Mercedes, Nike, and Puma.
Over time, every tint, shade, and pigment have grown to signify and communicate an emotion or message. Whether you notice it or not, colors are everywhere.