Creating Mood with Colour
I came across an interesting article the other day while reading a graphic design website. The article (here) was all about the psychology behind colour and how different colours make us feel, even when we don't realize it. Interestingly enough, I have a share for you today that I think demonstrates this exact concept very well.
A couple of months back, I hosted a card swap and this is the card that I created. I used another of my all-time favourite stamp sets, CTMH (D1254) Soul Mates. I can't take total credit for the card design, as I based my creation on a card I had seen elsewhere; I simply switched up the colours and the focal image and made it my own.
Now, fast forward to a few weeks ago. I took this same concept again and created this card. The cards, as you can see are essentially identical except for a change in colour and sentiment. Wouldn't you agree that this simple colour switch gave the card a whole new mood?
Now let's look at that article I mentioned and see if we can't tell why that is.
According to the Bloomsburg University Virtual Training Help Centre humans tend to respond emotionally to certain colours. Here is what they had to say about Black & Green. I have highlighted what I think to be the key words from their definitions that apply in my example.
"Black" is the absence of light and therefore, of color. is the absence of light and therefore, of color.
It represents power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, anonymity, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, underground, good technical color, mourning and death."
"Green, one of most-often cited favorite colors. It represents nature, environment, health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune.
"Its cool quality soothes, calms, and has great healing powers."
Now granted, there are some words in those definitions that don't apply to the moods I have achieved, but for the most part I think they are bang on. It's interesting to note that I had not read this article before creating my cards. I was naturally drawn to these colours because they seemed to express the mood that I was after at the time. It was automatic - proving that the colours you choose help send the overall message, even when we don't know it.
Here are the two cards again, together side-by-side.
Artwork Recipe (Card 1)
Card Stock: (X5642) Cocoa, (X5752) Juniper, (1388) Colonial White
Ink: (Z2165) Juniper, (Z2114) Cocoa
Stamp Set: (D1254) Soul Mates
Accessories: (Z1316) Designer Ribbon Rounds Cocoa Collection
Other: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Cuttlebug
Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"
Artwork Recipe (Card 2)
Card Stock: (1386) Black, (X5636) Ocean, (1385) White Daisy
Ink: (Z2136) Ocean, (Z2105) Black
Stamp Set: (D1254) Soul Mates
Accessories: (Z1034) Designer Ribbon Rounds Black Collection
Other: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provocraft), Cuttlebug
Finished Size: 4.25" x 5.5"
Do you have a similar example of how colour helped you send the message. If so, I'd love to see it. Leave me a comment, or send me the link below.
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