Boogazine - Semiotics and colour

One of the most important aspects in design is colour. Each colour provokes a different mood, feeling or memory. A colour on a wall can change the atmosphere inside it or alter an opinion.

The reason for this is semiotics. Semiotics are the study of signs, symbols and signification. It is how we create a meaning from certain communications for example signs or logos. These assumptions and conclusions that we make are all based on previous experiences via association. Colours evoke different memories or significations because we associate them with certain things. For example the colour red may remind of us love because we think of a love heart or a red rose. These are just automatic associations we make in our head but it is what defines each colour. Semiotics come into many other aspects in design such as branding; easily recognisable brands are those with familiar shapes or colours. For example the McDonald's M or the Cadburys sign.

Red
Red is a powerful colour, it can remind us of love and passion or on the other hand, blood, hell and fire.
This is why red should be used sparingly, hints of red would create a nice character and atmosphere to a room, for example, but too much could be overpowering.


Yellow
Yellow is a cheery colour, it reminds us of spring, summer and sun. It brings happiness and energy to a room.



Orange
Orange is said to decreases irritability and hostility and improve social behaviour. So good in a busy room. It brightens an area and is welcoming.



Green
Green is a fantastic colour for interior decorating because it is like the neutral colour. It is the most natural colour as it is everywhere in nature. It is a good balancing colour.



Blue
A primary colour, associated with such qualities as tranquillity, serenity and introspection. Popular in bathrooms due to its association with water.


Purple
Violet or purple is a regal colour, something we don’t see a lot of in interiors. It is mostly seen in the pale form of mauve or lilac. Also quite a relaxing and spiritual colour.


Pink
Pink is soft and subtle it is delicate, peaceful and gentle, but bold and vibrant shocking pink can be emotional and stimulating to your senses. It is essentially a very feminine colour.


Black
Black is a dramatic color, it provides the greatest contrast when teamed with white. It is a useful color to hide or camouflage things that you don’t want to highlight as it does not reflect light from it. It can be associated with sadness and death.


White
This is probably the most used color in interior design, mostly because it is neutral and goes with anything. It is a colour associated with purity and innocence and creates a great contrast with black.