Theory of Colours Capturing Attention, Basics and Psychology- The Design Bridge

Colours are not simply important, they are vital, and play a tremendous parting capturing attention, influencing imagination and even evoking certain feelings. It can soothe our eyes or make us anxious, raise our blood pressure or suppress our appetite. When used in the right ways, color can even save on energy consumption. Psychological influence, communication, information, and effects on the psyche are aspects of our perceptual judgment processes. Hence, the goal of colour design in an architectural space are not relegated to decoration alone.

Colour Theory

Colour theory is both the science and art of colour.
It explains how humans perceive colour; how colours mix, match or clash, the subliminal messages colours communicate; and the methods used to replicate colour.
It is important to know how colours interact with each other.
If combined in certain ways they have different effects on each other and the environment around them.

History of colour theory

Note: A basic colour wheel, derived from the Newton's colour wheel, showing primary, secondary and tertiary colours is further used in the document.

Basics About Colour

PRIMARY COLOURS

Red, Yellow and Blue

These are three pigment colours that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colours.
All other colors are derived from these hues.

SECONDARY COLOURS

Green, orange and purple

These are the colours formed by mixing the two primary colours.

TERTIARY COLOURS

Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-purple, blue-purple, blue-green & yellow-green

These are the colours formed by mixing primary and secondary colour.

Hue

A true colour or a shade of a colour.

Shade

A hue darkened with black.

Tone

A hue dulled with grey.

Tint

A hue lightened with white.

Colour Temperature

There are two types of colours on basis of the temperature they depict:

Warm colours
Cool colours

1. Warm colours

These colours tend to advance in space and can be overpowering.
These are generally associated with energy, brightness, and action.

2. Cool colours

These colours are not overpowering and tend to recede in space, hence making the space look larger.
These are generally identified with calm, peace, and serenity.

Neutral colours

Neutral means without colour.
It includes black, white, grey, beige, taupe, ivory and such colours.

Psychological effects of colours

Colour is a sensory perception, having effects that are symbolic, associative, synthetic, and emotional. It is one of the design goal consideration that demands adherence to ensure human psychological and physiological well-being within a space.The impression of a colour and the message it conveys is important in creating the psychological mood or ambiance that supports the function of a space.

Every colour has some significant psychological effect, both positive and negative. Colour associations are not necessarily universal. It depends on a range of factors like gender, age, ethnicity, culture, etc. some influences are same irrespective of all the factors. Some such effects of colours are discussed below:

Red

Red is the most dominant and dynamic colour.
The eye actually has to adjust focus, since the natural focal point of red lies behind the retina. Consequently it appears closer than it is.

Association

Positive: passionate, fervid, active, strong, warm
Negative: intense, aggressive, raging, fierce, bloody

Effect

Energetic and exciting
Bold and passionate
Fun
Powerful

In a monochromatic backdrop superimposition of red makes the element emerge as dynamic and a dominant component.

Pink

It is essentially a light red and is usually associated with love and romance.
It is generally considered feminine, but that depends much on the nuance used (varying from old rose pink to hot pink).

Association

Positive: jovial, lively, energetic, extroverted
Negative: intrusive, blustering

Effect

Calming
Feminine and vibrant
Joyful, lively and creative
Refreshing

The usage of hues and and tints of pink in the space brought out an extroverted, vibrant and feminine experience of the space for the luxury women centered brand Victoria Secret.

Orange

It is usually used as an accent colour to draw attention.
It is a bright and uplifting colour, hence it is mostly avoided in space that are subjected to relaxing.

Association

Positive: cheerful, vigorous, energetic, extroverted
Negative: agitative, blustering

Effect

Excitement and enthusiasm
Warmth
Increased energy levels

The overpowering orange used in the space brings out an energy, hopefulness and excitement attached to it. It adds a sense of cheerfulness to the whole surrounding.

Yellow

It is the happiest colour. It can also be used to draw attention like other warm colours.
Bright yellows tend to inspire optimism and foster an upbeat attitude, hence it can be used where mood needs to be uplifted.
Still, too much yellow can lead to anger, frustration or agitation.

Association

Positive: sunny, cheerful, radiant, vital, artistic
Negative: egocentric, glaring

Effect

Cheering
Energetic
Creative
Warmth
Aggressive

The happiness and creativity of yellow adds a contrast to cools of green and greys thus creating a sunny and artistic space for arts, literature and philosophy college library

Green

When looking at green the eye focuses exactly on the retina, which makes green the most restful colour to the eye.
Green is thought to relieve stress and it helps in healing.

Association

Positive: tranquil, refreshing, quiet, natural, peace
Negative: common, tiresome, guilty, sickly

Effect

Calming
Compassionate
Optimistic
Productivity
Organic or natural
Refreshing

The tranquility of the green adds a refreshing aura in contrast to the clean and bright white along with the rain forest gardens adds an optimistic character to the space that is inspired by the nature.

Blue

It is a calming colour which is said to lower blood pressure and appetite.
It can be used to create an atmosphere of work and meditation.
The light shades of blue can be used to visually enlarge a room.

Association

Positive: calm, sober, secure, comfortable, noble
Negative: frightening, depressing, melancholy, cold

Effect

Retiring
Relaxing
Stability
Increased productivity
Sincere
Intense (dark shades)

One of the theory of why the city of Jodhpur is painted blue, is that it is associated with the Brahmins, India's noble and priestly caste and the houses of the old city belong to families of that caste.

Purple

Red shade (Purple) attract more attention and is more dominating.
Blue shade (Violet) can be serene and calm and gives an air of mystery.
Purple is an opulent colour which creates an atmosphere of luxury and class. It has a reputation of being a royal colour associated with power.
The dark shades can be used to create a dramatic focal element, whereas the lighter shades are ideal for providing restfulness.

Association

Positive: dignified, exclusive, royal
Negative: lonely, mournful, pompous, conceited

Effect

Exotic
Regal
Sensual
Soothing
Mysterious

This is an unabashedly bold combination of colour of the purple family and silver that come together to deliver a vintage, rich and royal look that is still in vogue.

Brown

It usually induces a feeling of naturalness and comfort, as it symbolizes earth.
It can add depth and warmth in a space. Unpolished wood or wool textiles in natural shades of brown create a pleasant rustic effect.
In feng shui, brown represents either wood if it is dark and rick or earth if it is light.

Association

Positive: warm, secure, stable
Negative: lonely, sad, oppressive, heavy

Effect

Subduing
Secure and stable
Reliability
Resilience
Natural
Sophisticated
Warmth

The brown colour of the exterior brings up the soft wood effect and unifies the structure with the landscape. It also adds a sense of security, stability and a comforting humility to it.

Grey

It gives the feeling of subtle elegance because it is not too conservative, but still quite formal.
It combines very well with other colors, but if used alone it might create a boring atmosphere.

Association

Positive: Neutral
Negative: Boring

Effect

Elegance
Clean
Fresh
Sophisticated

The Broad Museum in Los Angeles has a grey organic-form foyer which makes a classy and sophisticated space for visitors

Black

It is associated with oppressive power and darkness.
Black is good for bold, dramatic effects since the color stands out and attracts the eye.
It has certain negative connotations and has a weighty, serious aspect, but can also create a mood of refinement and elegance.

Association

Positive: deep, abstract
Negative: dungeon-like, night, grief, death

Effect

Elegance
Clean
Bold
Formal

Coin Courthouse in Malaga, Spain, designed by Donaire Arquitectos, makes an impositing impression due to its material, form and black colour

White

White is used to create an airy appearance, quiet and pure.
It is often used to make rooms seem larger and more spacious and give an invigorating freshness.
It represents purity or innocence.

Association

Positive: clean, crisp, bright, fresh
Negative: empty, sterile, stark, cold, isolated

Effect

Clean
Refreshing
Sterile
Empty
Bright

Casa MM, a residence in Mallorca designed by OHLAB, has white facade which not only makes it look clean and bright but also keep the place cool.

Colour Harmony

Harmony engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience. To achieve this, the following colour schemes work as basic formulas.

Achromatic Scheme

This scheme possesses no hue. It uses only black, white and grey

Colours used for achromatic scheme

IMPACT ON SPACE

It makes the space look clean, simple and classy.
It is usually used in bathrooms, kitchen and living room.

Achromatic scheme used in living room and dining room

ARTICULATION

1. Adding an accent colour

An accent colour can be added to give a particular focal point in the area.
It is usually done with throw pillows, art and other accessories.

Orange colour used with achromatic scheme in room

2. Impression of the surface

Different patterns and textures, like marble, can be used to provide an interesting tactile sense to the space.

Marble used in indoor pool with living area

3. Perception of depth

Using relief features in this scheme provides the variance in depth which this scheme otherwise lacks.

Relief in wall in an achromatic scheme based bedroom

4. Combination with wooden surface

Wooden surface can be used for furniture or flooring with this scheme to provide a classy and rich look.

Wood used with achromatic scheme in kitchen

Monochromatic Scheme

This scheme possess various shades, tones, or tints of a single hue.

Different shades and tints of blue and red hue

IMPACT ON SPACE

This type of scheme is more subtle and conservative.
It creates a harmonious and visually cohesive look.

Yellow colour monochromatic scheme used for interiors of study area.

Since this scheme lacks definition or focal area, they tend to be calm and soothing.
It sets the scene for a minimal style.

Living area blended with tints and shades of steel blue colour

Monochromatic scheme creates relationship and progression in a space. Some features might appear to be a louder or more prominent.

Shades of pink colour making the bed more prominent in the scene

ARTICULATION

1. Association of colour

The effect in a space is stimulated by choosing the base colour that depicts the required characteristic of space. For example, pink colour is often used for interiors of girls.

Pink colour and its tints used for a girl's bedroom

2. Breaking the monotony with textures and patterns

Different pattern and textures can be added to the scheme to add a tactile sense to the design.

Different fabrics and wooden texture on the ceiling with green tints and shades in bedroom

3. Adding an accent colour

An accent colour can be added to highlight some parts of the space and simply add extra visual interest.

Monochromatic scheme of blue with orange as accent colour in living room

Analogous Scheme

This scheme consists of hues that are side by side on the colour wheel. This type of scheme is versatile and easy to apply to design.

Colour wheel showing analogous scheme

IMPACT ON SPACE

The colours in this scheme blends well and create a comfortable, serene & harmonic look.

Analogous scheme of yellow, yellow-green and green in living room giving a subtle visual harmony

ARTICULATION

1. Balancing the colours

The colours should be chosen such that one color dominates, one supports and another accents.
Usually primary colour is taken as the dominant colour, the lightest as a support and the mid-tone colour is used as accent colour.

In the living area main colour (green) can be seen as dominant with yellow in support, while blue in cushion and curtain can be seen as an accent colour

2. Using a certain section of space

Analogous colours don't have to cover an entire space for the beneficial aesthetic to have effect.
They can be simply put to one component of the room, like art or other accessories and create harmony.

Analogous colour scheme can be seen in the fabric on wall uniting the furniture and wall

3. Introducing a complementary colour

This strategy brings out the best in every colour while still maintaining balance and colour harmony.

Analogous colour scheme of red, orange and yellow with complementary colour blue

4. Harmonize with patterns and textures

Maintaining a similar tone or tint within the analogous colour scheme is important when various patterns or textures are being used, to achieve a consistent feel & coherent design scheme.

Different patterns and textures are used with cool colours (blue, violet and green-blue) without affecting the original impacts of these colours.

5. Semblance to analogous scheme

The colours are deeper than similar analogous colour groupings.
They relate to the original colours of an analogous scheme but are not the same. This can be seen where there is a material variation.

Greens of the wall and plants combine with the wooden furniture which is giving a yellow feel to the scheme

6. Metallic analogous

Metallic materials can be treated as the key component or as a support to the main colour in the scheme.

Metallic frame of the chair blends with the teal blue analogous scheme in the frame

7. Adding in a neutral colour

With this scheme, neutral colours can be added to bring stability in the colorful scene and provide a balance. It makes the space less busy.

White colour is balancing the warm colours creating a serene scene

8. Breaking the rule

Use of decidedly analogous pattern with other patterns that only have a trace or relation with one or two of the analogous colors can be an interesting combination.
It all works together because of the colour relationships.

Red, brown and orange scheme has been set up with the wall and accessories with blue, indigo and violet scheme on the wall art

9. Playing with the lighting

Light gradations and depth of design can be used to create a stunning analogous effect.

Designer lighting is a unique and fantastic way to bring a touch of analogous color scheming to your space.

Lights in the wall art depict analogous scheme

10. Adding accent colour

Using large, chunky doses of analogous colours and then breaking up the space with smaller, neutral pieces and details helps to create a focal interest.

Wall art brings out an accent element in the green and yellow schemed room

11. Portrayal of the scheme on furniture or accessories

A large statement piece, such as a living room sectional can be picked to represent the colour scheme.
If the furniture itself can't turn analogous, consider incorporating large pillows in solid analogous colors for a similar effect.

Red, brown and orange scheme is displayed by the couch; Orange, yellow scheme by couch

Complementary Scheme

This scheme uses complementary colours, i.e. two colours which are directly opposite each other and relative tints of those colours.

Colour wheel showing complementary scheme

IMPACT ON SPACE

These colours bring extra vibrance to a space and make it pop.
They are useful if small spaces, like home office or a powder room, need to pop.

Orange couch with blue wall maintains the complementary colour scheme in this space

ARTICULATION

1. Balancing the colours

If too much vibrance in the space is not required, the colours should be chosen such that one colour dominates and other works as an accent colour.

Green colour dominates the space while red fabrics bring an accent colour to the space

2. Embrace neutrals in the scheme

Introducing a neutral colour in this scheme will provide a place for the eyes to rest and keep from being overwhelmed.

Contrasting yellow and violet are soothened by the white walls and grey floor in the living area

3. Dimming the saturation and brightness

To avoid creating a chaotic, overwhelming space, choose muted shades like pale lavender and creamy light yellow.

Pale lavender and dull yellow makes a calm and soothing stripped combination

Split - Complementary Scheme

In addition to the base colour, two colours adjacent to its complement are used.

Colour wheel showing split-complementary scheme

IMPACT ON SPACE

This scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the complementary colour scheme, but has less tension.

Orange and blue couches create a contrast that is subdued by the tinted yellow-orange wall in the living area

Unlike the complementary scheme, this is more comfortable for the eyes.
It is softer and has more space for balancing warm and cold colours.

Blue-green and yellow-green colour scheme with contrasting red provides a subtle balance in the room yet not making it boring

ARTICULATION

1. Balancing the colours

The base colour is the main colour. The secondary colours should be chosen for highlights and accents.
Since there are two secondary colours, base colour is never too loud or dominating.

Orange is the base colour but does not dominate because of the presence of two blues on ceiling and wall

2. Including monochromes

Various monochromatic shades and tints of the base colour can be added to make the scene more interesting.

In the combination of red-violet, orange and green, various shades and tints of green are used

3. Blending with patterns and textures

To create a casual yet luxurious look, patters and textures can be added in the scheme.

Orange, cyan and green combination with patterned carpet and couch bringing vibrance

4. Muting the colours with white

To create an even more soft and calm environment, the scheme can be used with white colour.

White colour in the combination of pale blue, yellow and orange softens the room

Triadic scheme

It uses colours that are evenly spaced around the colour wheel.When these colours are linked by a straight line, they form a triangle.

Colour wheel showing the triadic colour scheme

IMPACT ON SPACE

This scheme tend to be quite vibrant, even if pale or unsaturated versions of hues are taken.

Triadic scheme formed by yellow, blue and red here ties the space up which otherwise would have looked chaotic

ARTICULATION

1. Balancing the colours

Since the colours are equally spaced, visual balance is required to avoid too much popping of space.
One colour should govern the design and others can act as accents.

The tint of red-violet colour is slightly domination as compared to the orange-yellow and blue

2. Using tints of each hue

To avoid too much vibrance and brightness, tints of each hue of the scheme can be used.
This will soften the visual effect of the space.

Tints of blue, green and orange give a subtle vibrance to the living area

3. Adding neutrals

Neutral colours like white, grey, tan and black can be used with the scheme to temper the vibrance.

White on the walls calms the red-violet, orange and blue scheme

4. Composing the space

Two colours can be used for the space while the third can be used as the background.
This is a sophisticated way to implement the scheme and deepen their aesthetic.

With the green and orange lamps, blue is the background creating harmony

5. Material mimicking colour

It is not necessary to get the exact same colours from the colour wheel.
Different materials can be used to portray different colours in the space.

The wood here mimics yellow-orange, making the triadic scheme with blue and red-violet

6. Varying saturation

To make the space more energetic and vibrant, more saturated hues can be made use of.

Red, yellow and blue saturated colours of the couches make the space dynamic

Tetrad Scheme

The rectangle or tetrad colour scheme uses four colors that are arranged into two complementary pairs.

Colour wheel showing tetrad colour scheme

IMPACT ON SPACE

This scheme tend to be quite vibrant, even if pale or unsaturated versions of hues are taken.

Red-violet and green ; blue and orange form the tetrad scheme in this bedroom

It requires a sensitive approach as it is an aggressive and very rich looking scheme.

Blue-green and orange; yellow and blue form the tetrad scheme in this living room

ARTICULATION

1. Balancing the colours

Since both the pairs are complimentary, a harmonious balance has to be achieved.
This can be done by making one colour or pair of colours dominant than other.

Balance between warm and cool colours is approached and orange and blue pair is kept dominant over green and red which are used in the table, chair and the rug

2. Subduing the scheme with neutral colours

The popping and contrast in the space can be minimized by adding neutral colours (mainly white).

The tints of blue and yellow; red and green are used with white as the main colour to calm the area

3. Focusing on artwork or furniture

The vibrant effect can also be diminished by concentrating the scheme only to the artwork or furniture and keeping the rest of the space plain.

Scheme is formed by red and green; yellow and blue in the artwork and rest of the area is achromatic

Diadic Scheme

A diadic or diad colour scheme uses two colours that are separated by one colour on the colour wheel.

Colour wheel showing diadic colour scheme

IMPACT ON SPACE

This scheme creates visual harmony as it contains just enough of the target colour to make the leap onto the other colour.

Blue-green and yellow green used as diadic scheme in living room

ARTICULATION

1. Adding neutral colour

Neutral colour can be added to break the monotony of the scheme and temper its effect.

Scheme of red-orange and yellow-orange is neutralized by white in the background and with the accessories

2. Variation in material, pattern or texture

Using different material and patterns in the scheme can make it more interesting.

The wooden patterns used form a yellow and orange diadic scheme in the space