October 22 #NationalColorDay
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a picture in color is worth millions.
Color has an important role in our daily lives since it has the power to communicate without words. Humans also naturally associate color with a mood since it can be hard to put words to what we are feeling. The most recognizable brands in the world rely on color as a key factor in their instant recognition.
Color engages and increases participation more than something in just black and white. Tests indicate that a black and white image may sustain interest for less than two-thirds a second, whereas a colored image may hold the attention for two seconds or more1. Color can improve readership by 40 percent2, learning from 55 to 78 percent3, and comprehension by 73 percent4.
Color is rooted in human history and culture. Color can have a big impact on User Experience. It is important to know the deeper meaning of color so you know how and when to use it appropriately. The next 2 weeks follow us to learn fun and interesting facts about your favorite colors.
(1) The findings were reported in the May 2002 issue of the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition, published by the American Psychological Association (APA) “The Contributions of Color to Recognition Memory for Natural Scenes,” Felix A. Wichmann, Max-Planck Institut für Biologische Kybernetik and Oxford University; Lindsay T. Sharpe, Universität Tübingen and University of Newcastle; and Karl R. Gegenfurtner, Max-Plank Institut für Biologische Kybernetik and Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen; Journal of Experimental Psychology – Learning, Memory and Cognition, Vol 28. No.3., 5-May-2002
(2)”Business Papers in Color. Just a Shade Better”, Modern Office Technology, July 1989, Vol. 34, No. 7, pp. 98-102
(3) Embry, David, “The Persuasive Properties of Color“, Marketing Communications, October 1984.
(4) Johnson, Virginia, “The Power of Color”, Successful Meetings, June 1992, Vol 41, No. 7, pp. 87, 90.