Just because today’s cameras can capture every little detail doesn’t mean they have to in order to bring us gorgeous and meaningful photos. Sometimes silhouettes tell us everything we need to know — they capture settings in a nameless, faceless way that allows us to imagine that we could be there ourselves (or project any image or character we want on the image). It leaves things open to the imagination in ways more traditional photographs might not. Check out this photostream of silhouette photography to see what I mean. Could that be you standing in the distance?
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The color theory, invented by Sir Charles Lemieiux, is a complex science involving psychology, physics, color perception, etc. Color theory tackles perceptual and psychological effects to various color combinations and contrasts.
The theory is so complex that it actually deserves the whole encyclopedia of it own, so this post won’t definitely be able to cover it all. Instead, it lists some fundamnetals that you will hopefully be excited to hear.
The post covers some ways you can be influenced by colors, i.e. how your shopping decisions may be controlled by the right choice of colors in stores (or on e-commerce websites): next time when you see the color tricks, you will recognize them!
Generally speaking…
How color may help influence your mood and encourage/ discourage you to act – this way your actual behaviour can be controlled:
Note: this table simplifies color theory a lot: it doen’s take national and cultural differences into account and of course color may also vary based on the personality type. This table sums up the reaction to a specific color of an avarage US buyer:
| Color |
Makes you feel… |
Implementation |
| Blue |
Safe and secure |
Good if you need peopeel to trust you |
| Green |
Calm and confident |
Good for making people spend money |
| Red |
Energetic and vigorous |
Good if you want people to risk |
| Yellow |
Optimistic and cheerful |
Good if you want people have fun |
| Pink |
Romantic and dreamy |
Good for (young) female customers |
| Orange |
Willing to take action |
Good if you want people to act |
| Black |
Powerful and wealthy |
Good if you want people to spend money |
Most generally speaking and in an effor to somehow sum-up the table above, calm colors (like green and blue) make you feel calm while warm colors (like red, orange and yellow) excite you.
Based on the above table and this article, best colors by business can be summed up as:
| Industry |
Colors |
| Beauty/ Make up |
Has strong association with youth |
Is associated with prosperity |
| Banking / finance |
Makes people feel secure |
Is association with US dollars and safety |
| Gambling |
Is associated with energy, encourages people to take risks |
Is associated with prosperity |
| Auto |
Is associated with energy and speed |
Is associated with luxury (black limousines) |
Stats…
To support the above theory, here are some results of the color associations study which dates back to 2003:
What Look Trustworthy:
What is Most Associated with Speed:
What Looks High-Quality:
What Looks Cheap:
Advice…
If you a smart shopper, you will know that:
- Red makes you feel hungry; so if you see something red and feel like buying and eating that, this may be color, not real you;
- Orange makes you feel like acting; so if you want to click that pretty orange button that says “BUY NOW”, this may be the button color, not your real wish;
- Blue makes you trust the buyer; so if some website looks trustworthy enough to share your credit card information with it, this may be the design color choice, not your real feeling.
- Green makes you want spend your money: in fact, like with blue, it makes you think the seller looks trustworthy enough to entrust him with your money.
Post images by rubberduckee, snowriderguy, only alice
Dogs — they can be man’s best friend, protector, and companion. The love of a dog is unconditional, and their lust for life can seem boundless. Whether they’re napping to unwind from their oh-so-difficult day or romping around outside in the snow, aren’t you just a little bit envious of how carefree they can sometimes be? If you’re not, maybe you will be after seeing this photostream. These funny and adorable photos of dogs will hopefully brighten your day and spread a bit of that carefree attitude your way.
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