Color’s Many Influences
Think back for a moment to your childhood.
It’s likely that some of your earliest memories were emotional responses to color. You probably developed preferences early, and when prompted with the question - “what’s your favorite color? - the answer came easily.
Color has more influence than you may be aware of.
Why else would candidates on the campaign trail have teams of people lamenting over what color tie or suit to wear in a televised debate?
Color has the power to illicit our subconscious to make swift judgments based off our association with it.
Colors are intoxicating and can will us to feel a certain way.
Isaac Newton’s conceptualization of the color wheel in 1704 was the first modern attempt to explain color’s clout with our emotions.
Artists have been harnessing the seductive powers of color for centuries. They have often used it to communicate their own mental states or evoke specific responses from their audiences, for example.
In modern times, companies like Pantone have capitalized on the deep psychological effect these hues can have. So much so that their own authority steers fashion trends year after year.
“That sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis; it’s actually cerulean....it was selected for you by people in this room.”
While color trends change as often as the tides, the impact of color itself is timeless.
Strategic use of color are one of the most useful assets among stylists and image consultants. Dressing their clients to give them an edge of persuasion in the boardroom or courtroom can be the tipping point in closing a deal or winning a case.
Even gemstone meanings are aligned with color theory.
Take the lush green coloration of emeralds for instance. This grassy hue is known to induce a feeling a freshness, serenity, and health.
The gemstone itself is known for its soothing energy. It’s believed to provide healing to all levels of the being, bringing freshness and vitality to the spirit.
Sound familiar?
Wheel of Emotion
So, what exactly are the persuasions of these powerful pigments?
The wheel below illustrates each colors sway over our inner thoughts.
Maybe you’ll see the hidden messaging being reinforced by the color the next time you encounter a corporate logo.
It’s All Connected
There’s a reason why many creative fields utilize color theory to communicate more effectively, but we’re really just mimicking the “real OG” of color design.
Mother nature is the world’s oldest artist and her work is the only true original work that exists.
Her bold pairings can be found in the bright plumage of a peacock or in the array of shades found in tourmaline.
The tranquility of blue is even mirrored by a clear summer sky or the calm turquoise waters from your favorite beach vacation.
We All Get a Piece
Thank goodness nature paved a way for us all to better express ourselves.
And we do. We all do.
To depict just how symbiotic the relationship of color is, I took color palettes of masterpieces from the world’s greatest artists and paired them with photos from my latest shoot. I thought it would be fitting, seeing as it was shot on location at K Contemporary Art Gallery.
Can you imagine how many common threads (no pun intended) between the art, fashion, jewelry, styling and even the paintings displayed in the background had in common with color palettes?
Well, the proof is in the pudding. You can view the gallery below.
Click on an image to get details on the jewelry styled in this shoot.
