How Do You Choose Paint Colors?

Since my background and training is in Color and the Human Response and Humane Design, I am fascinated with research and science that explains why we feel the way we do about color. Recently, I came across a study from Australia that describes how people choose paint colors. 

The researchers found that the subjects fell into 4 distinct categories for their starting points:

1. Abstract Ideas: How they wanted a room to "feel" or the "style" of a room with no specific color in mind. 
2. Objects: Color inspiration from an object, such as a piece of furniture, fabric, or artwork. Furniture was the most influential in this category.
3. No Idea: No clue where to start. This group researched ideas at the paint center and online.
4. A Color in Mind: Not only did this group have a color in mind, but they associated a quality or attribute with the color. The color may be "tranquil" or "warm".

The study also found that women were primarily responsible for choosing paint colors for the home. The women felt that men didn't understand the color selection process. I have a number of male clients who might take issue with that! Furthermore, people found paint chips, color samples, brochures, magazines, and model homes to be very helpful in the selection process. Technology like computerized color visualizers ranked low on the helpfulness scale. In my experience, computer generated examples do not reflect reality when it comes to color. It's very difficult to replicate paint color with computer monitors and printers with any degree of success. 

How do you choose your colors? Ultimately, color associations, emotions, and nature play the biggest roles in our decisions. It's all a matter of choosing colors that *you* feel good.

For more information on choosing colors, visit www.mycolordesigner.com 

Humane Design

I often get the question, "Why do you do color?" People are perplexed about why I'm so passionate about color. Throughout my whole life, I was aware that I was affected by color. Through my studies in Color and the Human Response, I learned that all people are dramatically affected by color whether they are consciously aware of it or not. Creating supportive and nurturing environments with color is only one aspect of the branch of design called Humane Design. It is design centered around those who inhabit and use a space. Designers and architects who embrace this philosophy aren't only concerned about how a place looks, they want to make it user-friendly. How a space is designed affects whether or not people want to spend time in a room or building. This is especially important in the workplace, schools, and medical facilities.

This hit home with me just a few minutes ago. I'm sitting in a hallway at UNLV, waiting for someone to finish an appointment. As I pulled out my laptop to work on a magazine article I'm writing, I felt uneasy, and definitely not inspired. I looked at my surroundings...vending machines, stark white walls, fluorescent lights, and an open trash can. Imagine that. I'm not feeling very comfortable or creative. Just a few feet away from the elevator are floor to ceiling windows. I dragged my chair in front of it and felt so much better. Through the windows, I budding green trees, a cloudless gorgeous blue sky, and a nicely landscaped courtyard. All in addition to an abundance of natural light. Now, I was ready to write. The same holds true for places where we spend time everyday. Why do people sneak outside for some fresh air whenever they get a break at work? Why is recess the favorite part of a child's school day? People are drawn to nature, and it is an important part of our lives. The green building movement is taking all of this into consideration by providing windows that open to allow fresh air to circulate. Full-spectrum lighting that mimics natural light is replacing fluorescent lights in office buildings. The colors of nature and natural materials are being incorporated into schools and hospitals. It ALL makes a difference.

The next time you question whether it's worth the time or money spent to allow for humane design, think about a space that made you feel like the hallway I was in today. It may be your workplace or a doctor's office or your child's school (many in Las Vegas don't have windows in the classroom, by the way). Think about the creativity that is being surpressed and how negatively the morale of those spending time in the building are being affected. Humane Design. THAT is why we do this. We improve the quality of people's lives.