Tuesday

Colors and Color Knowledge

In our daily lives, we perceive different properties of objects around us, which mainly are:

1. Shape and form
2. Usability and comfort
3. Color and appearance.

We should think of an object’s benefits as more than just its material uses. For all we know, for our material existence we also have a spiritual existence. Matter doesn’t Express anything on its own, what renders it meaningful is the spirit, the soul. This is why architecturally, all spaces should have spiritual value other than fulfilling material needs. This means other than comfort, durability, price, shape and form, we have to take into consideration color, texture, appearance. Many psychologists say that colors have immense effects on we humans.

COLOR TYPES and their EFFECTS

We perceive thousands of colors and appearances when we look around our surroundings. All these have effects on our state of being. Psychologists agree that sight, among the five senses, has the greatest impact on the mood of a person.

Researches show that some colors cheer people up, while others depress them. Some let you rest, while others make you restless. Some colors are also known to create a feel of cool and calm, while others feel warmer.

It is clear that your spiritual being is affected by your surroundings.

There are countless many things around us that we notice through their effects on our eyes and on our mood. If we happen to investigate these colors, you’ll soon notice that it all comes down to three “primary colors”. Red, yellow and blue make all those other color up. By mixing these primary colors in pairs of two, you’ll get the “secondary colors”, which are green, purple and orange.

Red + Yellow = Orange,

Yellow+ Blue = Green

Blue + Red = Purple

Fig.1

And through mixing all these colors in different ratios, we can achieve many other colors.

Fig.2

Cool and Warm Colors

All colors can be grouped into two depending on their effects on us and the feel they give us.

1. Warm Colors: these colors reflect and remind fire to us. Mainly they are red, yellow and orange. Also within this category are golden yellow, honey color, amber, wine red, pink, maroon, olive green and brown which can be obtained by mixing warm colors in different ratios.

Properties of Warm Colors:

They have active, alive and exciting properties.  They bring life and warmth into a room’s decoration especially when used in cool/cold places. These colors can become depressing and suffocating if used in hot places.

2. Cool Colors: they remind us about cool and cold. Colors in shades of blue, green and purple bring about cool and peace, hence they are called “cool colors”. Sky blue, sea blue, Turkish blue can be examples. The border of cool and warm colors passes through green, red and purple colors. Green is the critical color here. It can bring warmth or cool depending on its usage. If the blue is dominant in green, it becomes a cool color, whereas if the yellow is dominant in the green, it becomes a warm color. Colors between red and purple also show a similar property. White is also among cool colors because it hsa similar properties.

Properties of cool colors:

They bring about cool, relaxing and refreshing toughts and thereby satisfy the need for rest and peace.

With these colors, rooms appear larger. We can actually feel warmer when used in summer when its hot. Using them in cold weather makes us feek even colder.

Considering the fact that we use our rooms and furniture all year round, it is best that we use both warm and cold colors in our decoration. If you definately want one over the other, use colors that are close, that is borderline colors.

Complementary Colors.

After combining two of the three primary (yellow, red and blue) colors, the one that is left behind is called “complementary color”. Green is made up of blue and yellow, therefore red is the complementary color of green. Similarly, complementary color of purple is yellow, and blue complements orange.

Likewise, the complementary color for red is green, for purple is yellow, and orange is for blue. Complementary colors are stronger and more effective when used together, they appear more wholesome and nice than when used alone. For example, red and green, rather than just green go better together and appear to be more beautiful to the eye.

Neutral Colors.

They are neutral colors like white, black, silver or grey. Rather than carrying properties of  a color, they help achieve other colors. They are relaxing, fulfilling and mature. Black expresses depth and darkness, while white signals clearity, purity and peace.

Language of the Colors.

Different colors have different effects on us. They can deliver signals of peace and calm or any other feeling. The message that you get from a color, however, depends on your state of being at the moment and other environmental factors.

Sometimes we can feel the effect of colors around us deeply, and sometimes they can go totally unnoticed in our daily lives. We’ve been talking about their meanings and effects, so now let’s see what these colors actually do mean:

Red : The leader of warm colors. Red has an exciting, alive and therefore an activating effect on us. Brings about excitement, and some doctors say increases heart beat.

Yellow : Yellow is a warm and rich color that represents the sun and light. It gives you courage and relaxes you. Plays an important role in brain activities and enhances creativity and open-mindedness.

Green : Brings about peace, hope and self confidence. Also, like the holy books say, it is good for the eye, it lets them rest and gives them clarity.

Blue : Gives you comfort and peace, also has a relaxing function. It gives your toughts harmony, calms your senses and relaxes the eyes. Light shades of blue, however, can sometimes bring about sadness as it can make you feel cold and lonely.

Orange : Orange makes the appearance posh and classy. The huge excitement and attention actching properties of red are diluted here.

White : White represents innocence, purity and royalty. It combines colors, keeps cool during summer and makes you look younger.

Black : Black is a symbol of loneliness and gives a person an air of seriousness and calm. Reminds you fo your problems, anxieties and fears. Nevertheless, we always wear black in special happy ocassions, because it outlines and clarifies the appearance of your identity.

Brown : It is a symbol ofseriousness, durability and fidelity. Should be used with other colors that go well together.

Grey : This color is more of a mid point, implies equilibrum and modesty.