24 January 2020 The psychodynamics of colors
Architects and designers who are concerned with delivering assertive results in their projects need to pay attention to the way the human brain interprets the choices made to compose environments. This concerns not only the spatial distribution of furniture, but the colors chosen to be highlighted.
Human beings are primarily impacted by the visual field. The perception of an environment is 80% controlled by sight, it being considered the one with the greatest spatial reach among the five senses. Therefore, knowing how colors impact the human brain is essential for all professionals who work with neuroscience as a basis. Its applicability within such areas has allowed the development of neuroarchitecture and neurodesign.
What do colors transmit?
According to the Mehrabian-Russell theoretical model, dedicated to studying brain responses to visual stimuli, it is possible to provide two emotional effects from the choice of colors: stimulation and a sense of well-being. Therefore, the colors were studied within their spectra: warm, cold, or temperate.
Impact of cold colors
They are those that derive from violet, blue, and green, and therefore are directly associated with the water, the cold weather, the sky, and the elements of nature in which the color green is predominant.
The cool colors are in the spectrum range with the least vibration and they refer to the feeling of freshness, or even of cold. Due to this condition, they are read as of little stimulus, leading the brain to interpret feelings of relaxation and well-being.
Impact of warm colors
They are those derived from yellow, orange, and red. They are located in the highest vibration range, therefore they are associated with the transmission of sensations of heat and adrenaline. They are directly associated with elements such as fire, the sun, and heat. Therefore, the brain interprets them as sources of energetic pleasure and strong stimulation.
Impact of temperate colors
Temperate colors are those that are in the transition between warm and cold colors and fluctuate according to the amount of blue or yellow they receive. Therefore, the brain reading varies according to the incidence of the predominant color spectrum.
The best choice
The professional who works with such scientific evidence makes the choices according to the sensations they aim to transmit, and not according to their personal taste. Knowing how to work with colors as a conditioning element either of stimulation, or of relaxation and well-being, allows the project to provide its full function and better use of the user in the spaces.