There are few visual elements that can elicit a subliminal reaction more than colour. This post is intended as a beginning point for designers, helping them to create meaningful work that influences the viewer.
Evidence of subconscious colour reactions can be found all around our world. Connotations of colour have found their way into the English language – you may sometimes feel blue, be tickled pink, or even see red! In nature, it can be a matter of life-or-death – poisonous creatures such as insects, reptiles and amphibians can possess colours as a visual warning to predators.
Sometimes our colour choices are pre-determined (such as by an existing brand system); however where that isn’t the case, it’s definitely worth thinking about colour psychology and how that could possibly influence the viewer. I have provided examples along with synonyms, example colours, and photographic themes.
Blue
Blue #378CC5 / Cyan #00B7EB / Azure #007fff / Sky by SingSing Wade Kim / Macaw by Rose Thayer / Cornflower #6495ED / Navy #000080 / Cobalt #0047AB / Bluebells by Annie Spratt / Ocean Scene by Francesco Ungaro
Blue has connotations with:
- Depth — intensity, seriousness, insight, profundity
- Stability — durability, steadfast, durable
- Trust — confidence, certain, faith
- Confidence — assurance, courage
- Calm — relaxed, composed, sedate, tranquil
Red
Red #E63142 / Scarlet #900D09 / Phone Box by Steve Harvey / Rose #E3242B / Garnet #610C04 / Leaves by Pop & Zebra / Crimson #B90E0A / Strawberries by Soroush Karimi / Vermilion #E34234 / Give Way by Dim Hou
Red has connotations with:
- Passion — desire, affection, lust, infatuation, keenness
- Energy — strength, might, force, stamina
- Power — command, dominance, sway, control
- Danger — jeopardy, risk, peril, hazard, threat
- Action — exertion, feat, spirit, vigour
Green
Green #8EB446 / Limes by Taylor Simpson / Forest #0D642F / Laurel #AABA9F / Olive #708037 / Frog by Stephanie LeBlanc / Green Beans by Mateusz Feliksik / Lime #BED249 / Tree by Jan Huber / Jade #009F65
Green has connotations with:
- Growth — improvement, progress, extension, proliferation
- Calm — relaxed, composed, sedate, tranquil
- Nature — world, environment, earth, creation
- Balance — stability, support, equalize
- Safety — assurance, security, immunity, precautions, sanctuary
Yellow
Yellow #FFC846 / Bee by Kevin Grieve / Gold #F9A602 / Honey #FFC30B / Flax #EEDC82 / Sky by Nic Y-C / Mustard #FEDC56 / Sunflowers by Gérôme Bruneau / Lemon #EFFD5F / Hazard Sign by Bernd Dittrich
Yellow is associated with:
- Joy — delight, pleasure, glee, euphoria
- Caution — warning, urge, hazard
- Freshness — novelty, vigour, originality
- Energy — intensity liveliness, spirit, determination
- Optimism — hope, confidence, positivity
Orange
Orange #F5641F / Sky by Megan Clark / Spice #7A3803 / Fire #DD571C / Bonfire by Hans Isaacson / Canteloupe #FDA172 / Tiger by Clovis Wood Photography / Apricot #ED820E / Fruit by Noah Buscher / Bronze #B2560D
Orange has connotations with:
- Enthusiasm — keenness, motivation, zeal
- Success — victory, triumph, luck
- Warmth — comfort, goodwill, cordiality
- Creativity — imagination, talent, inspiration, originality
- Excitement — exhilaration, thrill, action
Purple
Purple #310B49 / Sky by Kyle Wilson / Lilac #B65FCF / Mauve #7A4988 / Violet #710193 / Crown by Markus Spiske / Grapes by Aedrian / Flowers by Artiom Vallat / Grape #663046 / Heather #9E7BB5
Purple is associated with:
- Royalty — regal, imperial, sovereign, grand, majestic
- Power — control, authority, influence, domination
- Arrogance — conceit, pride, swagger, hubris
- Luxury — opulence, extravagence, splendour
- Wisdom — understanding, learning, knowledge, intelligence
Pink
Pink #F699CD / Punch #F25278 / Doughnut by Isaac Quesada / Flamingo #FDA4BA / Cherry Blossoms by AJ / Parrots by Megan Clark / Coral #FE7D6A / Blush #FEC5E5 / Salmon #FDAB9F / Coral by David Clode
Pink is associated with:
- Sensitivity — reactivity, responsiveness, understanding, empathy
- Caring — compassionate, kindly, warmth
- Emotional — spiritual, personal
- Love — adoration, cherish, prize
- Sexuality — desire, lust, virility
White
White #FFFFFF / Alabaster #FEF9F3 / Snow #F5FEFD / Arctic Fox by Jonatan Pie / Wedding by Ulyana Tim / Glacier by Xavier Balderas Cejudo / Ivory #FDF6E4 / Daisy by Freya Ingva / Cotton #FBFBF9 / Porcelain #FFFEFC
White has connotations with:
- Purity — cleanliness, brilliance, wholesomeness, integrity, honesty
- Innocence — naiveté, gullibility, blameless, modesty
- Luxury — opulence, splendour, affluence
- Security — safety, protection, safekeeping
- Peace — truce, pacification, quiet
Grey
Grey #969696 / Rhinoceros by Joel Herzog / Pearl #D9DDDC / Smoke #BEBDB8 / Slate by Lou Batier / Anchor #3E424B / Mink #88807B / Fossil #787276 / Architectural Detail by Erik Eastman / Misty Forest by Silvana Amicone
Grey has connotations with:
- Neutrality — impartiality, detachment
- Simplicity — obviousness, clarity, restraint, purity
- Reliability — dependable, responsible, certain, honesty, sound
- Sophistication — poise, elegance
- Stability — durability, permanence, steadiness, strength
Brown
Brown #6E3C28 / Tortilla #9A7B4F / Bear by Melina Kiefer / Rust by Maxime Horlaville / Mocha #3C280D / Gingerbread #5E2C04 / Tawny #80471C / Coffee by Moritz Knöringer / Cedar #4A3728 / Timber by Gregory Dalleau
Brown is associated with:
- Honesty — integrity, honour, morality, sincerity
- Trust — belief, credence, faith, care
- Wistful — yearning, contemplative, dreamy, forlorn
- Rugged — uneven, rocky, rough, irregular
- Simplicity — naivety, innocence, openness
Black
Black #000000 / Midnight #040406 / Onyx #030104 / Cat by Adél Grőber / Portrait by Alexander Krivitskiy / Coal by Nick Nice / Raven #050301 / Charcoal #28231D / Soot #160D08 / Moon by Alexander Andrews
Black is associated with:
- Boldness — bravery, daring, heroic, gallant, forward
- Power — control, authority, influence, domination
- Mystery — secret, enigma, obscurity
- Elegance — dignity, grace, style, taste, sophistication
- Prestige — status, reputation, esteem
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Header Image: Patrick Fore on Unsplash.