Color Psychology 101

Black

Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black also implies submission. Priests wear black to signify submission to God. Some fashion experts say a woman wearing black implies submission to men. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula,  often wear black.

White

Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. White is popular in decorating and in fashion because it is light, neutral, and goes with everything. However, white shows dirt and is therefore more difficult to keep clean than other colors. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply sterility.

Red

The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red clothing gets noticed and makes the wearer appear heavier. Since it is an extreme color, red clothing might not help people in negotiations or confrontations. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In decorating, red is usually used as an accent. Decorators say that red furniture should be perfect since it will attract attention.

The most romantic color, pink, is more tranquilizing. Sports teams sometimes paint the locker rooms used by opposing teams bright pink so their opponents will lose energy.

Blue

The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the most popular colors. It causes the opposite reaction as red. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes the body to produce calming chemicals, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Fashion consultants recommend wearing blue to job interviews because it symbolizes loyalty. People are more productive in blue rooms. Studies show weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms. In ancient Rome, public servants wore blue. Today, police and other public servants wear blue.

Green

Currently the most popular decorating color, green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye and can improve vision. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in “green rooms” to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. Brides in the Middle Ages wore green to symbolize fertility. Dark green is masculine, conservative, and implies wealth. However, seamstresses often refuse to use green thread on the eve of a fashion show for fear it will bring bad luck.

Yellow

Cheerful sunny yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration, hence its use for legal pads. It also speeds metabolism. In India, yellow is the symbol for a merchant or farmer.

Purple

The color of royalty, purple connotes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

Leonardo da Vinci believed that the power of meditation increases 10 times when done in a purple light, as in the purple light of stained glass. Purple in a child’s room is said to help develop the imagination according to color theory.

Brown

Solid, reliable brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather. Brown can also be sad and wistful. Men are more apt to say brown is one of their favorite colors.

[Excert from "The Importance of Color" by David Johnson and the FactMonster.com]

Chalk Ink Markers has the widest color selection of chalk markers on the market. You can always find the appropriate color for your signage and home decor.

…and these are my latest d-tells

June 25th the world lost Michael Jackson. In my opinion the greatest entertainer to ever live. So on July 7th I asked members of my team if they wanted to go watch the memorial on TV somewhere. I know I certainly did, and I felt it right to ask the team to come too. I thought this was a “where were you when” moment and I wanted to be somewhere! So we were on a quest to find a cool hangout to watch the memorial.

We live in Austin, Texas. Y’all. It is the live music capitol of the world, so of course, we should find it in a variety of venues. Right? Wrong!! First we headed to a local wing hangout with 32 TVs and we were told “Nope. Only Sports.” “Alrighty then,” I said. Dare I mention that half the TVs were replays of games.

We quickly learned that the Alamo Draft House Cinema was on their A-game and we headed there. If you want to talk about keeping Austin weird, cool, hip, local and sharing the music, they were! A theater was dedicated to the memorial. Alamo – you get it and got it! Thank you!

The theater was filled with die-hard fans. Everyone silently and respectfully watched in a theater so dark, we were only reminded of each other when we quietly clapped. I was not expecting the memorial to be so powerful. I thought, Kobe and Magic were so sweet and the Reverend Sharpton was awesome! There were lots of sniffles and tears as we realized we lost a piece of our lives and one of the greats.

Alamo Draft House Cinema is hip to the current trends; something we should all be aware of in retail. They are also fantastic edgy retailers. I bought a shirt they had printed just for the memorial. I think other retailers, bars and restaurants could take a page from Alamo’s book.

Remember the time we were at Alamo Draft House Cinema and what a class act they were for MJ’s memorial?

Rock on Alamo! We are devoted customers forever.  Brilliant emotional retailing!

Everyone remembers the way your favorite childhood snack, or soda pop packaging looked 20 years ago right? It’s a pleasant memory and a sweet spot in your heart.”Old School” takes us back to a more simple time where life just seemed more peaceful.Retailers try anything and everything to create a customer feeling that’s warm and homemade.

When it comes to signage it doesn’t really get any more old school than chalkboards! Hand written chalkboards sell you emotion. The chalkboard  was handmade that day with a whole bunch of TLC thus raising your emotions in order to get you to buy their products. Customer service has been accomplished without an employee saying a word.

Old school packaging conveys a time when things were made with better quality and were less expensive. From my experience I have noticed that new ideas often come wrapped in old packaging.

If you are into retail like I am, here are some retailers you should check out: World Market does a great job with chalkboards, so does Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Fossil’s brand is very successful at the old packaging of new ideas. Reese’s is working the old school package by bringing back the old formulas. “D” licious.

And that’s what sells! – Danielle