Color theory is the art and science of creating harmonious color combinations. But every color has its own meaning and emotions attached to it. In this article, we’ll dive into the psychology and meaning of color.
Knowing what color combinations to use in design is an art. Should you stick to a monochromatic color palette? Or maybe 2–3 complementary colors paired with an accent color? There are so many ways to use color to communicate, to make your design stand out, and to convey a certain mood and emotion.
The core colors that inspire creativity are thought to be orange and yellow:
However, that said colors are very personal and therefore based on your individual preferences and life experiences some colors may place you in a more creative mood than others.
So when thinking about using color to inspire creativity, consider various colors in turn and think about how those colors make you feel. What thoughts, memories, and experiences do
the colors trigger? Do they elicit a positive emotional response?
Adding Color To A Workspace
If you are adding color to a workspace to inspire creativity you have to remember that at the end of the day, it is your space and should reflect your personality while also inspiring you to be creative.
There are of course many colors that you can consider so simplify the process by going back to the basics and first considering the primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. These are pure colors which means they cannot be created by combining other colors.
Next consider the secondary colors: green, orange, and purple. Each of these colors can be created by combining equal amounts of primary colors.
Primary and secondary colors can all be tinted with black or white to create darker / lighter variations.
Next, there are tertiary colors; these are created by an equal combination of a primary color and its closest secondary color, for example, blue-purple, blue-green, and yellow-green.
Research On Colors That Inspire Creativity and Other Traits
Research shows that warm colors such as yellow, orange, and red dominate space and encourage conversation. Yellow increases energy flow and inspires creativity, it’s good for enhancing intelligence and mental agility. Red invites an adrenaline rush, it is a stimulant that promotes confident action. Orange is thought to make you feel younger and more vibrant! (So if you’d like to wind back the clock a few years then perhaps it’s time to add a few hints of orange to your creative space.)
Passive or cooler colors such as blue, green, and purple are background colors and tend to have more of a calming effect. Blue is relaxing and refreshing and helps induce peace and tranquility. Blue is also thought to be effective in terms of enhancing the decision-making process, it encourages efficiency and can help you focus on what is important. Light blue gives a sense of peace and harmony. Green is natures core color, it is refreshing and is said to encourage fresh starts and emotional growth. Green is thought to promote physical and emotional well-being. Purple is mysterious and comforting, it encourages fresh perspectives and aids in the resolution of emotional issues.
In 2009 a study on colors that inspire creativity was undertaken. The study found that subjects solved twice as many insight puzzles when surrounded by the color blue since it leads to more relaxed and associative thinking. Red, on the other hand, makes people more alert and aware. So Red is best used as a backdrop for solving analytic problems.
What is the best color for creativity?
Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to this question, it often depends on personal preferences and associations that you have built up over your lifetime.
However, research suggests that certain colors, such as green and blue, may be associated with feelings of calm and tranquility. These colors could be conducive to increased creative thinking.
Colors such as orange and yellow and more associated with energy and excitement. They can be refreshing and energizing. Think of the beautiful sun’s rays.
Ultimately, the best color for creativity will vary from person to person and depend on personal preferences, the specific task at hand, and the environment.
Reference the following book for more details, however, it was a little pricey when I last looked so you might want to ask your library for a copy:
What are creative colors?
These are colors that are generally associated with creativity and imagination. Such colors can inspire feelings of originality, and innovation and inspire you to new thoughts and ideas.
Some colors that are often associated with creativity include:
Blue: for calmness, tranquility, and focus, thought to foster a more conducive environment for creative thinking.
Green: for balance, growth, and nature, also thought to be conducive to creative thinking.
Yellow: for energy, positivity, and happiness. Useful for inspiration.
Orange: for energy and excitement, also useful for inspiration.
Purple: for creativity, luxury, and sophistication, useful for a creative space.
Red: for energy, passion, and excitement. Use it when you need to be lively and energetic.
Standardized Colors
“Colors are tricky. If you’ve ever brought home a can of paint that you thought was taupe in the store but your partner points out that it looks “kinda pink” on the wall, you know how frustrating—and unreliable—color perception can be.”
“Color systems like Japan’s TOYO Color Finder or Germany’s HKS Guide help professionals define a color by name or number, instead of eyeballing it. But perhaps most universal of all color systems is Pantone—the lingua franca of color.”
Cultural Awareness
When considering colors that inspire creativity always take into consideration what different colors can represent in different countries. Colors often have different meanings in different countries. For example, white in the United States, the United Kingdom, and some other European countries represents purity, e.g. a white wedding dress.
Creativity Enablers
Because colors that inspire creativity stimulate your ability to be creative they are classed as creativity enablers. Other enablers could include walking and other forms of exercise, relaxing, a change of scenery or simply taking a warm bath. Laughter is also meant to enable creative thinking. Try and think of other things that enable you to be more creative, perhaps spending time working on your favorite hobby. What gets you into the zone?
When you have those creative moments they are usually visual in nature – that is you have a future vision of how something could be. For that reason, not just colors but anything of a visual nature can be conducive to creativity.
