Design Practice: Good is...? Colour

Saturday, 8 October 2011

Good is...? Colour

As nostalgia (and optimism) have positive associations, I wanted colours that were not too dark but instead, were subdued and connoted positivity. The workshops we have had allowed me to experiment with different pantone swatches in order to devise a colour scheme that was harmonious and reflected the idea of optimism effectively.

Colour meanings

Grey

People who like Grey tend to be neutral about life. They like to protect themselves from the hectic world in a blanket of non-commitment preferring a secure, safe, balanced existence. They work hard and are the "middle of the road" type of individual.

Orange

While red is associated with fiery heat, orange is associated with the benign warmth of the sun. A dynamic color to be sure, orange offers a more thoughtful control than explosive red. Curiosity is a driving characteristic of orange, and with it comes exploration of new things. Put some orange in your life when you want:

to spice things up when you feel time is dragging
to become more involved in something
to increase creativity
relief from things becoming too serious

Green

Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, desire to expand or increase. Balance and a sense of order are found in the color green. Change and transformation is necessary for growth, and so this ability to sustain changes is also a part of the energy of green. Put some green in your life when you want:

a new state of balance
feel a need for change or growth
freedom to pursue new ideas
protection from fears and anxieties connected with the demands of others

Orange, grey and/or green will most likely form the basis of a colour scheme for the final outcome, whatever it may be, due to its connotations and positive associations.

I found the following neutral, orange and green pantone swatches: