Color Blog - Page 2

In this section, you will find articles about the use of color within various industries. Click on the RSS icon to the subscribe to our Color Articles feed in your newsreader.

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The first colorless diamond engagement ring was given in 1477 by Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg to Mary of Burgundy. This unique gift started a trend that became popular among the wealthy ruling classes of Europe. However, as diamonds became more available and affordable and the Industrial Revolution put more money into the hands of a rising middle class, the 1800s saw “commoners” purchasing diamond engagement rings for their sweethearts as a token of their love and good intentions.

Today, 80 percent of America’s married women wear engagement rings. While colorless or white diamonds remain the most common and more expensive choices, once again the masses are following the lead of the rich and famous. Rare, colored engagement rings such as Paris Hilton’s $5 million yellow diamond and Victoria Beckham’s $1.8 million pink diamond have been widely publicized. The demand for non-clear diamond engagement rings continues to grow. For some, the intention is to imitate the choices of favorite celebrities. For others, it is a desire to be unique and non-traditional. Still other women simply find a colored diamond to be more visually attractive than a clear one.

Fortunately, there are several ways to afford the look of a coloured diamond ring. Natural “fancy” diamond engagement rings are genuine and unaltered. Artificially treated diamonds are enhanced to bring out their best features. Synthetic diamonds are man-made replicas. For some buyers, a more affordable, matching gemstone is an attractive substitute.

According to clinical psychologist Holly James, “We are drawn to a certain colour because we want that attribute in our life.” While certain color attractions may lie in our subconscious, consumer research proves the point that buyers are definitely drawn to products whose colors in some way reflect their interests and values. This holds true for the car industry as well. At least 77 percent of all car shoppers say that color is an important factor in whether or not they will purchase a car. Another 31 percent claim that they are willing to pay more for a vehicle in a color they prefer. Car dealers need to take note because a startling 39 percent admit that they will walk off a lot that does not have the vehicle they want in the right color.

From 2001-2010, silver was the most popular vehicle colour in the world. Silver represents a practical sophistication with a slightly futuristic appeal. As a business color, it has been highly successful. Interestingly, drivers of silver cars are 50% less likely to be involved in automobile accidents. However, in 2011, the color white stepped into first place in the United States.

White is seen by many as a clean, uncomplicated and non-threatening look. A full 50 percent of the cars sold in the United States last year were painted some shade of white. Black is the third color in the top three choices. Drivers identify with the power, elegance, sexy and sometimes mysterious quality of a black automobile. There’s just something bold and no-nonsense about a shiny black vehicle. In fact, in Europe, black was the dominant color in 2011. In Asia, silver held the number one place.

Easter Sunday is the time to shed the darker, drabber colors of winter and mourning and to bring out the brighter colors that celebrate the arrival of spring and the rebirth of hope on the earth. Traditionally, Easter Sunday follows Holy Week, that period of time when most Protestants and Catholics solemnly remember the days immediately preceding and including the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. His death occurred sometime between A.D. 26 and A.D. 36.

Many churches decorate their sanctuaries with purple during Lent, the 40 days of circumspection and penance that lead up to Easter Sunday. Purple signifies both suffering and royalty. Jesus Christ claimed to be the son of God, and He suffered greatly before his crucifixion on a Roman cross. Some churches also add a cross draped with red to symbolize the shedding of blood and black to represent the death of the Christ. However, on Easter Sunday, life springs forth once more as the church celebrates the resurrection of the world’s Savior. Black and red are replaced by white and gold, the colors of purity, new life, celebration and wealth. Churches may bedeck the drab and lifeless cross with fresh, colorful flowers, creating a huge, living visual.

Congregants traditionally join the celebratory spirit of the day by donning their best and brightest colors. Light shades of pink, green, yellow and lavender are popular for little girls’ Easter dresses. Other fun pastels include light shades of orange, turquoise and coral. Lace, frills, sashes and hats are added as worshippers gather to honor the King of Kings who has risen from the grave and thus offered the promise of heaven to all who follow Him. Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, is definitely the high point of celebration for Christians around the world.

Planning a colorful birthday party for your child can be exciting and fun if you let it. Each age has its own special challenges, but your child is definitely worth celebrating, and you don’t need to break the budget to make your son or daughter feel special. By deliberately showing a color theme in the decorations, your efforts will make a much bigger impression. It’s just a matter of choosing the right color for your little one.

Baby birthday parties aren’t really about the baby at all. They are an opportunity for parents to get together to “ooh” and “aah” over cute baby gifts. With few exceptions, you are free to indulge your own favorite colors if you wish. Pastels are always safe when you choose pink, green, yellow or lavender for your baby girl. Stick with blues, browns and greens for little boys. Never add pink or purple to a boy’s color scheme.

If you could actually poll babies and toddlers, they would tell you how much they love bright primary colors. Reds, yellows, blues and greens in big splashes are exciting. So are big patterns and prints. One fun idea might be to choose one specific primary color and ask the guests to come dressed in that shade as well. Make the entire party about one of these basic colors and you’ll have a guaranteed success. A word of caution about red: It is definitely a high energy color, and that may not be the best idea for a large children’s party. You might want to temper it down by keeping it as a secondary or complementary color.

This article was written by Coupons.org’s contributor, Ella Davidson. Coupons is a coupons and deals site that offers consumers insight on how to effectively save money. Coupons’ consumer information has been featured on CNBC.

Marketers have long known that factors as seemingly simple as color can have major impacts on how consumers react to advertisements and coupons. Without being conscious of it, consumers' brains respond to certain colors and color schemes differently, and are profoundly influenced by these unconscious reactions that happen before they are even aware of having formed an opinion. They can influence how customers feel about products and retailers which, in turn, has dramatic impact on the success or failure of the business. So which colors can cause customers to feel drawn to a product or organization, and how can businesses control the subconscious reactions of consumers to them?

Red

Not only is red a bright, eye-catching color but it actually causes a physical reaction within the human body. Seeing the color red causes an increase in heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. This intense physical reaction can mean major impact for retailers who choose to use it. On top of the unconscious physical response viewers have to red, it also inspires feelings of excitement and passion. For retailers who want consumers to have the same enthusiasm for a product that they have, red is a top choice.