Color Theory for Your Event: How You Can Use Color to Set the Right Mood

Color doesn’t just brighten up a room, it also has a huge impact on human behavior. All humans rely on sensory input; and color, when used skillfully, has been proven to prompt certain responses. Everywhere from marketing to interior design the use of color has been used to great effect, but use of color can also ensure the success of an event. Many people often overlook this important step when they are planning an event. The main focus remains on the venue, the food, the timing and more. But the colors used in the event can and do play a huge role in making or breaking the event.

Quick Summary

Color plays a significant role in shaping human behavior and can dramatically influence the success of an event. When selecting colors, consider the event's nature and the audience's demographics; for example, sophisticated events benefit from deep hues like black and purple. Additionally, colors evoke emotions—blue conveys calmness, while red inspires excitement. Furthermore, cultural meanings of colors vary, highlighting the importance of using colors that respect cultural norms to avoid negat

Picking Colors

If you are using colors for an event, pay attention to the nature of the event as well as the type of people invited. The age of participants might influence the usage of color as well. For a black tie event, black, purple, gold and deep red are good colors, signifying sophistication, mystery and elegance. Similarly, the seasons can also make certain colors more appealing. Fall and winter makes warm colors more favorable while spring and summer make bright, cool colors more pleasing.

Color and Emotions

The biggest thing that color does is incite an emotional response through visually stimulating the senses. Based on these responses and perception, the following are some of the most commonly used colors:

Usage of Colors

On the color wheel, there are the basic, primary, and secondary colors with tertiary colors that fall in between them. Colors can be used alone or in conjunction with color schemes that are mono-chromatic, complementary or contrasting, triadic, analogous or even rainbow. You can use it in the following manner:

Cultural Significance

Cultures can also dictate the proper usage of color. For example, in Eastern cultures, the color white is often used in mourning, while in Western colors, it is considered a traditional color of purity and used widely for weddings. However, for Eastern weddings, red is commonly used and associated with good luck. The color black is also used according to cultural norms, signifying re-birth and life in certain cultures and used for mourning in others. For this reason, always ensure that the colors you are using will not be considered disrespectful or unsuitable for an event based on their cultural impact.