colour

44’s Emily Moffatt looks into the positive effect of colours and where on the colour spectrum you should place yourself to ensure your Easter break leaves you energised and relaxed…

Colour is a very clever communicator, and the right colours can make us think more creatively, pull us out of a mood and lift our spirits.

As we approach our second Easter in lockdown, does the thought of an Easter Sunday Zoom call fill you with dread? Does trying to keep the kids entertained with a treasure hunt leave you feeling flat? Well, the colours that we surround ourselves with may be the answer to help pick us up.

Desperately seeking some energy and creativity?

Adding some yellow into your day may just spark that idea you’ve been looking for. It’s thought of as the most energising of the warm colours and is associated with sunshine, happiness and optimism.

It’s also considered to be the colour of creativity and may just pull you out of that writers’ block. This Easter why not surround yourself with cheery daffodils and fluffy Easter chicks or get out in the sunshine for a good hit of vitamin D, and an energy-filled burst of yellow?

Looking for a stress-free Easter break?

If the run-up to Easter is feeling stressful and chaotic, surrounding yourself with green may just help you find your inner calm. Green is the centre of the colour spectrum and is the colour of balance and harmony. When the world around us contains plenty of green, this indicates the presence of water, which is reassuring on a primitive level!

The colour green takes you away from the stresses of everyday living, restoring you back to a sense of wellbeing. As green promotes the love of nature, why don’t you spend some time outside? Take a long country walk across the green fields or be brave and dig out the tent. Find a pitch in the long grass and turn off your mobile ­– you know the kids would love it.

Do you have 300 tabs open in your head and feel weighed down in the fog?

Blue is the colour of trust, honesty and communication. It’s considered solid, reliable and brings a feeling of being safe. Being surrounded by strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Again, why not try getting back to nature? If you’re lucky enough to live by the sea, grab a coffee and meet a friend on the beach. It’s bound to be filled with clear, honest conversation and will leave you with calm and clear thoughts.

Need to burn off the Easter egg calories?

The colour red may give you the energy you need. It’s fast-moving and promotes the need for action and movement, boosting our physical energy levels. So after you’ve eaten your Easter egg and had an extra glass of red wine with your Sunday roast, use that ‘red’ energy and get active – in whichever way you choose. I won’t mention red also being the colour of passion…

Running out of things to say around the dinner table?

The colour orange may just spark a conversation. Orange radiates warmth and social communication, combining the physical energy and stimulation of red with the cheerfulness of yellow. At the same time, orange is also stimulating to the appetite.

If you love having people around the kitchen table, orange will keep them talking and eating for a long time. Try getting crafty and create an Easter-themed table setting. Think terracotta, tulips, orange napkins and little bunnies nibbling on carrots. It’s bound to be a talking point! Failing that, you can’t beat some honey-roasted carrots!

The colour of communication

As a designer, I’m always working with colour, and always looking for the next idea. Maybe I’ll add a touch of yellow to my working space to spark the next concept or make sure I go for a walk if I’m feeling stressed. It also makes me think of the effect colour has on our subconscious. It can’t be a coincidence that many finance companies’ logos are blue, and is the red in the McDonald’s colour palette there to make you feel hungry?

It’s definitely something I’ll be looking into when I’m thinking about my next brand identity project. If you fancy a chat about how colour could influence your next project, reach out to us today.