News from Drews Sign It Pty Ltd

Colour - things to know.

In the sign, print and advertising markets, people rarely give enough thought to colour and contrast.

Some colours produce effects opposite to what you may actually be looking for.

Red, for instance, is an engaging and emotive color. Probably the most common colour used in Fast Food restaurants as it depicts HOT. Think McDonalds chips packaging.

Red can also be attributed to increasing anxiety in anxious people, but it also can excite calmer personalities

Research has found that red triggers the pituitary and adrenal glands and releases adrenaline. This is also the basis for marketing of expensive sports cars, and could explain why red sports cars outsell any other colour.

It also explains the myth that Red cars go faster, are harder to insure, and result in more speeding tickets than other colour.

According to some medical research, it may also increase blood pressure and breathing, and stimulate appetite and your sense of smell.

Yellow is the first color a person distinguishes in the brain. It is associated with stress, caution, and apprehension, yet it stimulates an overall sense of optimism, hope, and balance.

Excellent for use in classrooms, but not good in bedrooms, especially of young children. I wish someone had told me that before we painted our kids rooms.

Orange has the characteristics halfway between red and yellow and is one the best colors for stimulating learning.

It is important to note however that although bright colors like red, orange, and yellow spark energy and creativity, they can also increase aggressive and nervous behavior in a normal environment.

In signage, they are usually used to good effect with complimentary darker colours, and can attract attention in the right circumstances.

Blue is the most tranquilizing color as it calms tense subjects and increases feelings of well-being. When you see blue, your brain releases eleven neurotransmitters that relax the body, and may result in a reduction of temperature, perspiration, and appetite. Its is also considered a trustworthy colour, which may explain why Police Forces around the world often use blue in their colour schemes.

Blue may be a bit too calming for most learning environments though, but is a good choice for the bedroom.

Because blue has such positive reactions, it is also one of the most popular colours in the sign industry. Most manufacturers of computer cut vinyl material have a broad range of blues to choose from, as opposed to any other range of colour.

Green is also a calming color. Research has shown that blood histamine levels may rise resulting in reduced sensitivity to food allergies. Antigens may be stimulated for overall better immune system healing, which is why green is a common colour with natural therapists..

Green also conveys a sense of nature, and is used by the environmental agencies to enforce that thought.

Brown promotes a sense of security, relaxation, and reduces fatigue but has limited use in signs as it also depicts earthy impressions, so is usually most commonly used in the gardening or landscaping industry.

Gray is the most neutral color, and is often a better choice than white.

While Dark Colors lower stress and increase feelings of peacefulness, in the wrong combination they can make a dull uninspiring sign, no matter how good the design..

(source: mistupid.com)