Understanding colour signals

All of us consider the colour to be a certain signal, and we are absolutely right.

No matter who we are and what colours we prefer, all of us have something in common. Every colour we see causes certain reaction.

We are so much used to it that we pay no attention to our reactions. They are instinctive and subconscious. Usually we don't even think about them and don't connect the colour with our sensations. However, particular colours produce definite instinctive reactions. Sometimes these reactions are physiological. Sometimes they are emotional. And sometimes they are cultural.

The researches on colour signal convincingness have been carried out for several years. More then 5 thousand people have been tested during the research, their reactions having been analyzed. Instinctively a human being ties certain colour with certain notion. For example, if you are suggested imaging 'romantic colour' you are likely to think about red or pink. When we speak about 'friendly' or 'joyful' colours, yellow is likely to occur to you. It is not by chance that the Internet  'smile' is mostly yellow.

Now let us check if you are agree with the data obtained from the research.

The results of the research showed the following.

 YOUTH

 This notion is usually associated with bright energetic colours - red, yellow and green. Once children see these colours on some product or label, they immediately understand what that means. The adults also perceive these colours as youth and use them when they want to seem younger, more enenrgetic and lively.

 PROFESSIONALISM

 When we imagine energetic, business-like, competent, serious person, you are likely to think about man or woman dressed in dark-gray, dark-blue or black suit. This kind of suit has become a sort of uniform for business people.

 DURABILITY

This characteristic, as a rule, is connected in people's consciousness with dark-brown colour and with colours assigned to professionalism. These colours speak about solidity and reliability. Black colour presents in both categories. It's not a surprise that all-level authorities are so much fond of black leather chairs in their offices.

 MOUNTAIN AIR

 Even such ephemeral substance as mountain air has its own colour associations. Gentle, misty hues of white, pale-green and blue are usually connected with being high in mountains. These colours produce freshening and inspiring effect.

So, why do we respond to colour this way. The reasons can be divided into two categories: physiological, i.e. bond between mind and body, and psychological, connected with culture, history and education.

 MIND AND BODY BONDS

The colour produces a certain psycho-physiological effect on a person. It affects both human being's mind and body.

We perceive an object and its colour as a whole - a red apple, an orange butterfly. But what we perceive as red or orange colour is, as a matter of fact, electromagnetic radiation of different frequency.

As a physical matter colours are electromagnetic radiation of different wave length, which is reflected from subjects and perceived a colour. Colour spectrum, i.e. all rainbow colours, consist of hues of different wave length. 

Red has the longest wave length, and violet - the shortest. When we see an apple, which is seen as red, it means that the apple absorbs all the waves of visible spectrum, except the longest ones. That is why we see it red. Reflected rays are perceived by retina - and there we see red colour.

What are the other effects of a wave length?

The colours of red-orange colour spectrum stimulate people. Long waves of red and yellow colours speed up the heart-beat and stimulate nervous system. That is why colours of this part of spectrum arouse concentration, activity and purposefulness. In this respect, green colour is perfectly neutral. If yellow hue is dominating in the green, it acts as yellow. If blue is a dominating hue, the green affects human beings as blue. Colours of blue-violet part of the spectrum have short wave length and produce opposite effect. They slow down heart beat calm down and soothe.