It’s some sort of strange and provable scientific fact that red cars get pulled over more often than their blue counterparts — it’s part of a bizarre psychological study behind car design. What web designers might not realize, however, is that these sorts of psychological affects apply online to design as well.
There are some great resources out there for color psychology when it comes to design, but let’s break down a couple of the key findings so that you may see how the psychology behind graphic design affects you or your business.
Yellow: This color apparently encourages communication and conveys optimism and happiness.
Green: Because this is the background for “the world” — this color makes a great background because we’re used to seeing it everywhere. It also alleviates anxiety (who knew?!)
Blue: Blue, apparently, is a trustworthy color! It calms and sedates, and it’s also pretty gender specific (good to remember sometimes.)
Purple: This one encourages creativity that is “often well liked by eccentric types.”
Pink: This is a stimulating color — youthful, fun, exuberant. It probably makes a lot of people think of middle school girls, but, did you know it’s been used in prison cells to help curb off-the-wall behavior?!
Red: This color encourages action and confidence; it also draws attention (maybe this is why our stop signs, exit signs, ambulances, etc. are red?)
Orange: Here’s a first: this color stimulates the appetite. But, it also sparks controversy; people either love it or hate it — a color to tread lightly with, perhaps.
White: Neutrality. Clarity.
Grey: Did you know The New York Times is sometimes called “The Grey Lady?” Did you know that was even a thing? Grey is the color of “intellectuals” and it can be both unsettling while also creating expectations
Black: Authoritative and powerful, but it can also be mysterious.