l'Evento - Event Resource Boutique :: Central Indiana
Science of Color 02/17/2011
 
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A successful event has a simple formula. It must be attractive and inviting, comfortable and informative. Colors function as part of the equation. After catching your guests' attention, color provides a structured message and visual harmony to enhance the experience.

If you didn’t take an art class in high school, we’ll start by listing the three basic types of color combinations: primary, secondary, and tertiary. Red, Yellow, and Blue are the primary; Orange, Green, and Purple are the secondary. The secondary colors fit between the primary, making a six-point star. The tertiary colors result from mixing one primary color with one secondary color, and have no specific set names. An example would be yellow + green = chartreuse or lime.

Complimentary colors, colors that go best together, are opposite each other on the color wheel. So, Red pairs with Green, Yellow couples with Purple, Blue duos with Orange.

All shades of Gray work well as background colors, but what about Black and White, you ask? Black is the color of authority and power and popular because of its slimming effect. Black works well with bright jewel tones, conveying elegance, sophistication, or even mystery. White is soft and spring-like, the color for brides in Western countries. In Eastern cultures it is actually the color for mourning. Use White to signify purity, cleanliness, or make Reds, Blues and Greens look brighter.

Metallics, such as Gold and Silver, always add a special touch. Gold catches the eye lending richness and natural warmth, while Silver is glamorous and sleek. Both symbolize riches and elegance, but are best used in small amounts as accents.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can consider applying different tints of one color.  This can give the impression of using several colors when using only one. Deep hues are used to convey security, while earth tones feel natural and inviting. Truthfully, people are comfortable when colors remind them of similar things. Successful design requires an awareness of colors and their meaning, but don’t be afraid to play and see how you feel!

Always,
Amy
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All too often, I see people agonizing over color selections for their event. Concerns of seasonality, appeal to other key people (e.g., the groom), availability, and more always come up. So today, I’d like to begin an occasional series on color to address some of those concerns.

Seasonality

Worried your favorite color won’t work with the time of year? It doesn’t have to be a problem. While you can choose to tie your event closely to the season – think cornucopias and burnt orange in fall, snowflakes and silver in winter, etc. – it is certainly not necessary. When was the last time you saw a child’s birthday party planned around the season? No self-respecting 9-year-old would welcome a cornucopia to her party any more than a bride would decorate with iCarly.

So why is it that when a big event comes into our lives, we so often feel compelled to follow the seasonal trends? Perhaps it’s the magazines, driving us to these ends, or the stores, providing us with endless selections of perfectly seasonal décor, many months in advance. Whatever it is, feel free to ignore it all when choosing colors for your event.

Your colors should reflect you or the guest of honor’s personality and preferences and the type of event. Think about what colors make you feel good: confident, powerful, beautiful, excited – whatever emotions you’d like to evoke in yourself. Start there, and choose a palette that makes you happy, ignoring the colors you’re “supposed” to choose. By choosing colors in this way, you’ll make your event time-less and season-less.

More on color soon...

Cheers!
Heather

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