Taradara » Color use

Color Meaning: Orange

admin — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:27:27 +0000

Orange is an appetite stimulant. Orange rooms get people thinking and talking. Orange rooms speak of friendliness and fun. Orange is used for visibility enhancement.

Main associations are autumn and citrus.

Positive associations are:

- creativity;
- invigoration;
- uniqueness;
- energy;
- vibrancy;
- stimulation;
- sociability;
- health;
- activity;

Negative associations are:

- crassness;
- trendiness;
- loudness;

Some useful facts: orange is the national color in Netherlands, because the Dutch monarchs came from Orange-Nassau. Orange signifies Hinduism in India and Protestant movement in Northern Ireland.

Used literature: Color Design Workbook

Dadamnphreaknoizphunk – Orange Crush

Color Meaning: Green

admin — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:57:07 +0000

Green is the easiest color on the eyes. It is calming and refreshing (is often used in hospitals to relax patients). Green says “Go!”, and it means that you are welcome to start doing something.

Main associations are plants and enviroment. Green means something natural.

Positive associations are:

- fertility;
- money;
- growth;
- healing;
- success;
- nature;
- harmony;
- honesty;
- youth;

Negative associations are:

- greed;
- envy;
- nausea;
- poison;
- corrosion;
- inexperience;

Some useful facts: green is strongly associated with Ireland. In Celtic cultures The Green Man was the god of fertility. In Native American cultures green is linked with the will, or man’s volition.

Used literature: Color Design Workbook

Panic! At The Disco – That Green Gentleman

Color Meaning: Blue

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:43:37 +0000

In most of the world blue is considered to be a masculine color. In China it is the color for little girls. In Iran this is a color of mourning. Blue is the most popular corporate color worldwide.

Main associations are sea and sky (which is obvious).

Positive associations are:

- knowledge;
- coolness;
- peace;
- masculanity;
- contemplation;
- loyalty;
- justice;
- intelligence;

Negative associations are:

- depression;
- coldness;
- detachment;
- apathy;

Some useful facts: blue is unappetizing, suppresses hunger, because blue food is rare in nature. This color causes the body to produce calming chemicals; relaxing. People are more productive in blue rooms. Blue clothing often sybmolizes loyalty or trust.

Used literature: Color Design Workbook

Mujuice – Dark Grey Blue

Color Meaning: Black

admin — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:30:55 +0000

Perhaps the most arguable color that I know. Some people say that it is boring and negative, other that it is elegant and calm. As for me, it is one of my favorite colors. First of all I consider it to be neutral and practical, because it is our “every day” color.

Where is the truth then?

Main associations with black are death and night, but don’t take it as a strict rule, because everything depends on the situation.

Positive associations are:
- power;
- authority;
- weight;
- sophistication;
- elegance;
- formality
- seriousness;
- dignity;
- solitude;
- mystery;
- stylishness;

and negative are:
- fear;
- negativity;
- evil;
- secrecy;
- submission;
- mourning;
- heaviness;
- remorse;
- emptiness;

Also some useful facts:
- black clothing makes people look thiner;
- black makes other colors look brighter;
- black is often associated with secret societies;

As you can see now, black has a lot of meanings. That’s why I would advice you to think twicely when and where you decide to use this color.

Used literature: Color Design Workbook

Ratatat – Black Heroes

Color Meaning: Red

admin — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:14:51 +0000

Color use, as a subject, is not as popular as it should be and a lot of designers don’t really care about colors meanings. Even I, in my previous work, relied on my intuition when using colors. So, I decided to learn some interesting facts about it, because at the moment I start to understand that it can help in many ways when designing something. In this way, you just add to your work one more deliberate thing, which can’t be useless. So, let’s start with red.

When people are asked which is their favorite color, the most frequent answer is red. Red is strongly associated with blood, fire and sex. All other associations are divided into positive and negative.

Positive are:
- passion;
- love;
- blood;
- energy;
- enthusiasm;
- excitement;
- heat;
- power;

Negative are:
- aggression;
- anger;
- battle;
- revolution;
- cruelty;
- immorality;

Things which also can help:
- red is the most visually dominant color;
- suggests speed, action;
- stimulates heart rate, breathing and appetite;

Used literature: Color Design Workbook

P.S. I decided to add some music to every post. Enjoy!

Tycho – Red Bridge