I was going to add where these colors have been used, however, to keep the article length down I decided against it. Perhaps it was a good idea; perhaps it wasn’t. Regardless, what’s done is done. Besides, you can see colors being used in this fashion in most any film, television show or brand identity.

My source for this article was myself and, to go further into detail, college (particularly two classes: Color & Design and Drawing & Perspective). I did reference an old book I had called Contemporary Color: Theory & Use, but that book didn’t associate the colors with anything; only broke it down to its basic feelings. I decided to go with what I had learned which was what feelings the colors were associated with.

As for your comments about color studies not being in agreement, I can understand that. When dealing with the human mind (which we are still learning) and a huge array of colors, shades, etc,; it would be very difficult for anyone to lock down what general feelings each person associates with what color. On top of that, you factor in people raised in different cultures where colors mean different things and associations are thrown way off. That is why I threw in the disclaimer at the top. However, studies have associated quite a few colors with certain feelings, and I can’t see them being completely wrong; only added to, as you mentioned. For example, different shades of a color bringing up different feelings.

Your comment about the color blue being used for serenity is right on the mark, which is why I wrote, “A light blue emits a calming effect…”. As for red, perhaps I could have broadened my definition more. The book I referenced earlier even reads, “Red enhances energy and stimulates the production of red blood cells.” It is used a lot in sales brand identities such as Target, Cub Foods, etc. The reason I left that out is simply because this is a site aimed at motion graphics and visual effects and rarely are we coming up brand identities on our own. Most of the time we are handed things to work with, and we work with them. However, to further the education process I will ammend my article to reference this and I will change all the Dictionary.com quotes to reference the book Contemporary Color: Theory & Use (where applicable).

I do agree that with color in your projects, it’s often how it is used. However, before you can reinterpret or re-imagine it, you must first know how it is supposed to be used. It’s like the old saying, “You don’t know where you’re going, if you don’t know where you’ve been.”

I appreciate your comments and questions, Mike! Thanks for reading!

There are many studies and opinions on color and not all are in agreement. I’ve read elsewhere that blue is associated with serenity, and red is an impulse or “buy now” color (visible in marketing where red is used on advertisements and even multiple fast food chains as their primary color).

Anyway, with color it’s often how it’s used with all the other style and design elements. It can always be flipped on its head and meanings re-interpreted, or added to.