Dr. Nihad Almughany

University of Palestine Faculty of Applied Engineering and Urban Planning Dept. of Architecture 2nd Semester 2010 -2011 Introduction to Interior Design ( EAGD 3217 ) Lecture 8 Colors - B Dr. Nihad Almughany 1 1

CONTENTS 1- AIMS. 2- REVIEW OF LAST LECTURE ( Colors – part A ). 3- COLOR PSYCHOLOGY. 4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS : A- Red B - Blue C – Yellow D- Orange E- Green F- White 5- GENERAL NOTES FOR USING COLORS IN INTERIOR DESIGN 6- CONCLUSION. 2

1- AIMS 3 3 • This lecture aims to: • Review of the last lecture ( Colors – part A). • Complete the knowledge of color characteristics. • Highlight different aspects of color psychology, the meaning of each familiar color and its application in interior spaces.

2- REVIEW OF THE LAST LECTURE - COLOR: NOTION – MEANING. - PRIMARY COLORS. - SECONDARY COLORS. - INTERMEDIATE (TERTIARY) COLORS. - THE COLOR WHEEL. - COLOR VALUES. - COLOR SCHEMES. - COLOR HARMONY. - COLOR CONTEXT. 4

3- COLOR PSYCHOLOGY : Color psychology is a field of study devoted to analyzing the effect of color on human behavior and feeling, It is important not to confuse color psychology with color symbolism. For example, symbolically, red may be used to denote danger, largely due to the fact that reds have the illusion of appearing nearer than other colors and, therefore have greater impact. In color psychology, on the other hand the colors of danger are yellow and black. In colour symbolism, green denotes envy in many cultures, while in color psychology, it is associated with balance.

3- COLOR PSYCHOLOGY ( cont. ): Symbolically, red may be used to denote danger, largely due to the fact that reds have the illusion of appearing nearer than other colors and, therefore have greater impact

3- COLOR PSYCHOLOGY ( cont. ): • Color consultants believe that the colors used in the design of environment can have a significant impact on the emotions and performance of people within that environment. • One study found that weight lifters have more powerful performances in blue rooms, and another study found that babies cry more frequently in yellow rooms. Another (by Dr. Alexander Schauss, Ph.D., of the American Institute for Biosocial Research, cited on [Color Matters: pink]) used Baker-Miller Pink to calm prisoners.

3- COLOR PSYCHOLOGY ( cont. ): Color effect has two sides : • First : A physiological effect: The effect of color on an organ of human such as the effect of blue on the nerve system and the effect of red on increasing blood pressure. • Second : A psychological effect : Sensation impressions like the feeling of the wideness of space when using light and bright colors , and feeling actively when using orange .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS : * Each color reflects a special meaning that must be taken in consideration in interior design applications. Therefore , the use of colors is different from space to another, and probably in the same space. The following is an explanation for the meaning and use of some familiar colors:

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS A- Red • Red is considered to be the colour of life, of the glowing sun, of blood and of fire. Red is said to increase the pulse rate, to raise the blood pressure and the rate of breathing. Red has also been called the colour of desire. • Red is the color of the passion (emotion), and romance .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS A - Red (cont.): • Red catches people's attention, and is often used to indicate danger or emergency. • Red denotes "stop" in, for instance, stop signs, traffic signals, brake lights, or the flashing lights of a school bus. • Red symbolizes heat and fire. Taps for hot water are often labeled red. Red is commonly the color of fire alarm boxes, fire extinguishers, and the firefighter profession itself , and exit doors. - Red is the color of blood, and a Red Cross, Red Crescent

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS A - Red (cont.): • Strengths and strongly stimulate feelings if properly used . • Matt red gives a feeling of velocity, hurry, motion and life . • It is preferred not to excess in using red and just use it in accessories, part of the surface in places require movement such as entrances, stair walls, exercise room , etc .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS B - Blue : • Blue is the color of the pure sky and of the deep water. • In the English language, blue may also refer to the feeling of sadness. "He was feeling blue". this is because blue was related to rain, or storms, and in Greek mythology, when the Greek god Zeus was sad, he would make rain, and when he was angry, he would create a storm.

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS B - Blue (cont.): • Likes the color blue, one has a basic need for a calm, harmonious and tension-free existence. capable, conservative, trusting and strive to be cool and confident. Always a conscientious worker, has a highly developed sense of responsibility. • Basically a gentle and sensitive .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS B - Blue (cont.): • Blue is often a colour used to symbolise honesty and trustworthiness. Hence it is used by mortgage companies and banks, as well as the clothing of businesspeople. • Blue law is the term for laws regulating issues of morality, such as alcohol, gambling, or pornography. • Although blue is traditionally associated with boys as pink is associated with girls, there have also been periods in which pink was considered proper for boys and blue for girls .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS B - Blue (cont.): • The color is applied in places where there is a need for calm and cool such as waiting halls , places oriented towards hot directions , quiet rooms . • Light degrees of blue are used to solve the problem of tiny and small spaces .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS C - Yellow • The color of sun and artificial lighting. • Provides a feeling of brightness and joy . • A symbol of happiness , activity, optimism, intelligence and youth.

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS C - Yellow (cont.): • If someone favorite color is yellow, this indicates that he/she has a yearning for the new and the modern… and that he/she looks forward to the future. Inclined to be intellectual, idealistic, spiritual and highly imaginative. Yellow is the color of the curious, creative and artistic individual. • As yellow is warm and luminous, it indicates a cheerful disposition, an expectation of greater happiness and tend to find the ‘joy’ in almost every encounter.

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS C - Yellow (cont.): • Used in different grades , but the bright grade is not preferred to be applied at large areas because of its effects on nerve system . • Stimulates creative thinking, though it is used in places that need to create creativity and joy ( offices, kitchens, children rooms , etc. ).

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS D - Orange : • Orange is one of the most color grades shining, blooming and warmth. It gives a deep feeling of warmth, happiness, and innocence.

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS D - Orange (cont.): • Orange would symbolise the rising sun, and make us alert and cheerful. It is believed to affect both our bodies and our minds. • If orange is the favorite color, one is adventurous, good-natured and determined… work and play are done with intensity. • One tends to be social, friendly, charming and hate to be alone… therefore, blessed with many friends .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS D - Orange (cont.): • Application: • In guest rooms, the orange gives the feeling of welcoming and warm reception . • In ornaments , but in small areas and touches • In restaurants and dining areas.

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS E - Green : • Composed by yellow and blue . If yellow is the dominant , it gives the feeling of warm colors, but if the blue is the dominant, it gives the feeling of cold colors . • Green is the color of trees, lawn, and vegetables, therefore, it gives the feeling of shadow and rest. • It is comfortable for seeing and nerves and tranquilizer of temper ( used in hospitals ) .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS E - Green (cont.): • If green is the favorite color, this indicates stability, balance and persistence. When start something, one finishes it. • One is considered a good citizen, a respectable neighbor and a concerned parent, always doing the right thing. Tends to be frank, moral and sensitive to social etiquette. • Very intelligent, understand new ideas; however do not wish to take risks. One’s reputation is highly important .

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS E - Green (cont.): • It would not make us quiet, but calm us in a neutral, positive sense. Green is called the colour of possession and of the will to possess. Green is also considered to be the colour of concentration.

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS F - White : • A neutral color . • A symbol of purism, cleanness, virtue and clarity. • A dominant color that used every where in the house and other places.

4- MEANING AND USE OF COLORS F - White (cont.): • The individual who chooses white as a favorite color prefers simplicity and the innocence of their youth. This person seeks perfection, constant enlightenment in all philosophies and searches for happiness. This person strives for all that is best. • A comfortable color , therefore , it is used for patients ( rooms and dress ) . • Used largely in houses because it is a common color for all furniture .

5- GENERAL NOTES FOR USING COLORS IN INTERIOR DESIGN : • Consider colors in all interior design elements – walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, lighting, cornices, curtains, etc. , and how to relate each one to others . • Consider the psychological effects of colors. • Colors are a tool for the designer to control the space to fulfill its function properly as using active colors in living areas and quiet colors in bed rooms .

5- GENERAL NOTES FOR USING COLORS IN INTERIOR DESIGN ( cont. ) : • Colors could be used in solving the negative problems of the interior spaces like the low or high ceiling and the tightness of a room area . • It is important to recognize the color degree. Also to make the color sample in both natural and artificial light to notice differences.

5- GENERAL NOTES FOR USING COLORS IN INTERIOR DESIGN ( cont. ) : • Colors main groups : • Warm colors : red, orange, yellow, etc. • Cold colors : blue, violet, green, etc. • Neutral colors : white, black and grey . • When there is a group of colors in space one must be the main color ( 60 % of the surface) and the minor color ( 30 %). The third color ( combining ) compose about 10 % of the surfaces.

5- GENERAL NOTES FOR USING COLORS IN INTERIOR DESIGN ( cont. ) : • Light colors are usually used for tight rooms and dark colors for wide rooms . • Strong and bright colors are used in low percentage in the interior space , otherwise , they would control the space. • In Feng- shui the creative wheel consists of five basic colors represent five elements from the nature :

5- GENERAL NOTES FOR USING COLORS IN INTERIOR DESIGN ( cont. ) : • Red to fire. • Yellow to earth. • Grey to minerals. • Blue to water. • Green to trees and wood. • Each color has an amount of energy starts strongly in red and vanishes gradually until reaching blue.

6- CONCLUSION • Color psychology is a field of study devoted to analyzing the effect of color on human behavior and feelings. The symbolic criteria of a color differs than its psychology. • The physiological effect of a color is the effect of color on an organ of human such as the effect of blue on the nerve system and the effect of red on increasing blood pressure. • The psychological effect of a color is the sensation impressions like the feeling of the wideness of space when using light and bright colors , and feeling actively when using orange . • Each color reflects a special meaning that must be taken in consideration in interior design applications. • Colors could be used either in decorating interior spaces or in solving the negative problems of the interior spaces like the low or high ceiling and the tightness of a room area . Besides, Colors are a tool for the designer to control the space to fulfill its function properly. • Colors should be considered in all interior design elements – walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, lighting, cornices, curtains, etc. , and how to relate each one to others . • Light colors are usually used for tight rooms and dark colors for wide rooms

Dr. Nihad Almughany