Colour Theory & Psychology

Although this wasn't in our specific set of lectures I felt it will have a positive effect on my practice, this is a bit extensive but I feel its a good reference for my own practice.

Light & colour are seen by the human eye because of the two types of photoreceptor cells - rods and cones - located in the retina of the eye

Photoreceptors are the cells that detect light waves.  Photoreceptors come in two types; rod cells, which detect dim light and cone cells, which detect bright light. 

At low light levels, the cone cells are useless and we rely on the colour blind rod cells to see, and this is called scotopic vision.

Our daylight vision, in which we see detailed coloured images with great acuity, is called photopic vision, which relies on the cones of the eye exclusively.

Colour is the perceptual characteristic of light described by a colour name.

Specifically, colour is light, and light is composed of many colours—those we see are the colours of the visual spectrum: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. (rainbow colours)

Objects absorb certain wavelengths and reflect others back to the viewer. We perceive these (reflected) wavelengths as colour.

Advancing hues are most often thought to have less visual weight than the receding hues.
Most often warm, saturated, light value hues are "active" and visually advance.

Cool, low saturated, dark value hues are "passive" and visually recede.
Tints or hues with a low saturation appear lighter than shades or highly saturated colors.
Some colors remain visually neutral or indifferent.

Hue – Position on the colour wheel
Saturation – The intensity of a colour
Value – The lightness or darkness of a colour

Saturation: The degree of purity of a hue. Saturation refers to the dominance of hue in the color. On the outer edge of the hue wheel are the 'pure' hues

Luminance / Value: How light or dark a color is referred to either as a color’s lightness or value; a measure of the amount of light reflected from a hue. Those hues with a high content of white have a higher luminance or value.

Complementary Colors: Those colors located opposite each other on a color wheel.
Analogous Colors: Those colors located close together on a color wheel.

Pairs of pure Complementary colours are disturbing to the eye and can produce the illusion of movement

“The Psychological Effects of Color
While perceptions of colour are somewhat subjective, there are some colour effects that have universal meaning. Colours in the red area of the colour spectrum are known as warm colours and include red, orange and yellow. These warm colours evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility.

Colours on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colours and include blue, purple and green. These colours are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.”

Green occupies more space in the spectrum visible to the human eye than most colours, and is second only to blue as a favourite colour. Green is the pervasive colour in the natural world, making it an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere. The natural greens, from forest to lime, are seen as tranquil and refreshing, with a natural balance of cool and warm (blue and yellow) undertones. Green is considered the colour of peace and ecology.

There is an "institutional" side to green, associated with illness and government-issued green cards, that conjures up negative emotions, as do the "slimy" or "bilious" greens.


How the color green affects us physically
Soothes
Relaxes mentally, as well as physically
Helps alleviate depression, nervousness, and anxiety
Offers a sense of renewal, self-control, and harmony

Yellow shines with optimism, enlightenment, and happiness. Shades of golden yellow carry the promise of a positive future. Yellow will advance from surrounding colors and instill optimism and energy, as well as spark creative thoughts.

How the color yellow affects us physically
Stimulates mental processes
Stimulates the nervous system
Activates memory
Encourages communication

Red has more personal associations than any other colour. Recognized as a stimulant, red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and a keen use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element.

How the colour red affects us physically
Increases enthusiasm
Stimulates energy and can increase the blood pressure, respiration, heartbeat, and pulse rate
Encourages action and confidence
Provides a sense of protection from fears and anxiety

Purple embodies the balance of red's stimulation and blue's calm. This dichotomy can cause unrest or uneasiness unless the undertone is clearly defined, at which point the purple takes on the characteristics of its undertone. With a sense of mystic and royal qualities, purple is a colour often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favourite colour of adolescent girls.