A color impression is not only a

mechanism of seeing, but also a

sensation & feeling. Frank H. Mahnke.

COLOR PSYCHOLOGY
M.N.U. Daniel Acosta Ruiz
 COLOR PSYCHOLOGY

For the physicist, color is a wavelength of light that an object either

generates or reflects. This means we use the language of the
physicist to describe the sensory stimuli we percibe as color.

In the language of psychologist that describes what effects these

stimuli have upon us.
For the physicist, red, for example, equals an external
stimulus of a light wave that has a fecuency of
627-780 nanometers.

For a psychologist, red suggests an internal process

that may o may not be associeated with a physical
event.
 COLOR IS ESSENTIAL FOR
LIFE
Most people who hear about color psychology for the first time
often voice opinion that it does not really affect them. They Claim
they have their own tastes and preferences, and after all, aren’t these
reactions to color all subjective?

This is one of the reasons why

too often color in architectural
environment is assigned a
secondary or cosmetic role.
BIOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO
A COLOR STIMULUS
Green and blue light thwart activity in
mice, and under pink light rats become
more aggressive.

Chikens have layed more eggs

under red light.
 CULTURAL INFLUENCES
Color associations, symbolism, impressions and
mannerism that are characteristic of specific cultures
and groups.

Turquoise.- National color for Persia

Green .- Religious significance in Islam

Greeks .- Find all color to be refined

The Japanese.- Respond deeply to the gentle color of water sky and
wood.
 INFLUENCE OF TRENDS,
FASHIONS, STYLES
In interior design and
architecture, color trends
apper more slowly than in
fashion and cosumer
products.

Color changes are necessary to

adapt the spirit of a particular time.
That’s why it’s so difficult to accept
new color trends in the creation of
the architectural environment.
 INFLUENCE OF TRENDS,
FASHIONS, STYLES
Designer and architects who are
unsure in their use of color have a
tendency to “plat it safe” and copy
color trends.

In architecture we need to find the

middle between using hardly any
color and the other extreme of
being too colorful.
 INFLUENCE OF TRENDS,
FASHIONS, STYLES

Over-excitation environments can be distractors and

interfering with work tasks that require visual
concentration.

Under-stimulated environments is as unacceptable as

the over-stimulated one.
COLOR ASSOCIATION STUDY

TERM COLOR PERCENTAGE

LOVE RED 81%
HATTED BLACK 89.6%
PEACE / BLUE, BLUE-
93.6%
TRANQUILITY GREEN, GREEN

SORROW BLACK, GRAY 86%

YELLOW,
HAPPY 63%
ORANGE
ORANGE,
JOVIAL 50%
YELLOW

LIFE GREEN 73%

COLOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND HUMAN RESPONSE. P. 55
 COLOR EFFECTS IN THE
INTERIOR SPACE
A color will influence a room’s character diffently
depending on whether it is located on the floor, walls
or ceiling.
 COLOR EFFECTS IN THE
INTERIOR SPACE
PINK ORANGE
Stimulating, attention -
Ceiling Delicate, conforting Ceiling
seeking
Walls Aggression - intimate Walls Warm, luminous

Too delicate - unfamiliar in Activating, motion

Floor Floor
this location oriented
 COLOR EFFECTS IN THE
INTERIOR SPACE
BROWN YELLOW
Ceiling Oppresive and heavy Ceiling Light, luminous, stimulating

Secure and assuring if Warm, exciting to

Walls Walls
wood, less so if paint irritating

Floor Stable Floor Elevating, diverting

 COLOR EFFECTS IN THE
INTERIOR SPACE
GREEN BLUE
Celestial, cool, less
Ceiling Protective Ceiling
tangibly
Walls Cool, secure, calm, passive Walls Cool and distant

Feeling of effortless
Floor Natural, soft, relaxing Floor
movement
 COLOR EFFECTS IN THE
INTERIOR SPACE
GRAY White
Empty, no design
Ceiling Shadowy Ceiling
objections
Neutral to empty, sterile,
Walls Neutral to boring Walls
without energy
Touch-inhibiting (no to be
Floor Neutral Floor
walked upon)
COLOR EFFECTS IN THE
INTERIOR SPACE
BLACK
Ceiling Hollow to oppressive

Walls Ominous, dungeonlike

Floor Abstract, odd.

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Color, Environment, & Human Response.

Frank H. Mahnke
Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1996.