The Meaning of Color

“Color in design is very subjective. What evokes one reaction in one person may evoke a very different reaction in someone else. Sometimes this is due to personal preference, and other times due to cultural background. Color theory is a science in itself. Studying how colors affect different people, either individually or as a group, is something some people build their careers on. And there’s a lot to it. Something as simple as changing the exact hue or saturation of a color can evoke a completely different feeling. Cultural differences mean that something that’s happy and uplifting in one country can be depressing in another.”

(Ref: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/01/28/color-theory-for-designers-part-1-the-meaning-of-color/ ; June 9, 2012)

Color has fascinated human beings since the beginning of human history. The close attachment with color has created many spectrums of creativity. Human beings have shown their association through enormous creative activities. Color’s attractiveness has inspired people to apply in architecture, clothing, and household consumer items, rituals, ceremonial events, etc. One may go one listing items that are related to color. However, it is realized that the sentimental attachment with color has strong emotional content. In order to understand the emotional relationship with color one has to search for the reasons. The topic Color and Emotion would try to examine various elements that are causing such emotional bonding.

Functional and Non-functional Elements of Color

Design deals with the following two areas- Functional and Non-functional Elements. Along with other functional elements color plays a very significant role. Color in Design has definite role to play. In design, color helps in communication through visual perception. Therefore, design’s power of communication has to be effective through the semantics of color along with other elements. Color has to be functional like other applied elements.