I’ve decided that much like Wordless Wednesday I’m going to add “Infographic Friday” to my blog. I’ve always been a big fan of them– They’re always thought provoking and generally they’re visually pleasing too. What’s not to love?
So, without further ado today’s infograph is called ‘the Psychology of Color’ and it was created by the awesome folks over at NowSourcing. They’re generous enough to not only allow you to share this image on your own site but they also allow you to download this awesome infograph in pdf format! How great is that? Be sure to check them out on Facebook and like them while you’re there. 
![Psychology of Color [Infographic]](http://nowsourcing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/psychology-of-color.png)
Courtesy of NowSourcing, Inc
I’ve got to be honest, when I created this design for my website I put colors together that felt homey and comfortable. I didn’t reference any color charts, I just went with what felt right. I think color is important in a design but I also think it’s very important for you to go with what feels ‘right’.
Say you’re a coach and you really are leaning towards using colors like orange and red but then you review a color chart like this and it’s pointed out to you perhaps purples and blues maybe better colors.
I can tell you from experience, if you go with something you don’t love, especially for your website, you’re going to have a hard time promoting it. My previous site I was not excited about or proud of. I rarely shared the URL… but now, with my new design I have no problem sharing my URL, promoting my page via Twitter, Facebook or any other means. Do what feels right to you, break the color rules if you must! 
P.S. If you’re waiting for the second part of the Photo Editing Series I’m hoping to work on it this weekend. My clients have been keepin’ me hoppin’ this week!
Twitter: HelzDesign
says:
first i thought: why aren.t any company using orange – what.s wrong with orange?
and will stick with it.
than i saw the sentence: what feels right for you.
yes that.s why i have chosen orange for my company
love the subject inFographic Friday
helen recently posted..Font of the Week (10) – More Dingbats
Helen,
I’m not much of a ‘go by the rules’ kinda gal either. I think the color psychology is really great if you have NO idea what you want or where to start. But for those of us who get an idea or have a vision of what we want I think it’s totally acceptable to throw it out the window.
I love orange and I’ve used a good bit of it in my design. Maybe I should make that last statement a bit bigger and bolder. 
Thanks for stopping in
Melissa recently posted..Thank You
Twitter: bloggingwgypsy
says:
I totally agree with you, Melissa, about the colors … I tend to design around what I like and what does not hurt my eyes LOL … Working with clients that have bad tastes in colors (yes it happens UGH), I will spend a couple hours finding horrible, tacky links for them to see it in action and they get homework too === find me some sites that you feel look good with these colors. So far, it’s worked
No bad color choices … now .. I’m working on tacky backgrounds and other images … sometimes I wonder what they are thinking! LOL I do love this infographic though — a very good reference 
thanks for sharing!
Kimberly ~ Gypsy recently posted..Is Your Child Really SAFE at School?
Twitter: HelzDesign
says:
kimberly this is interesting … you really give homework to your customers?
how do they react?
don.t they think it is awkward?
i guess most of my customers would tell me that they will find another person doing it the way they want!
helen recently posted..Scenic Sunday
Kim, I do “homework” too — Especially when I have someone I’m working with for design and they’re vague or ‘think’ they know what they want but they seem to have reservations. It’s really helpful when they come back with 2-3 websites that they like, even if they’re not ‘sure’ what exactly they like about them. It at least gives you a starting point!
Helen, I’ve never had anyone respond surprised about that, actually, it’s been the opposite reaction for me. People get excited about it because now instead of just telling you what they like what features they’d like to see they’re able to go exploring and bring you back a list and say — “I love how this is but I really Really REALLY don’t like this.’ It can be very helpful.
I have design work to do this weekend and a bunch of eCovers to do next week. I love it.
Melissa recently posted..Thank You
Twitter: HelzDesign
says:
maybe i should do that with a special customer who is now with me for 2 years doing labels for home cooked jam.
she just can.t decide .
will make a blogpost with the drafts ;D
helen recently posted..Scenic Sunday
Oh, definitely Helen! I always do drafts and upload them to a hidden/password protected page for my clients to review.
Melissa recently posted..Introducing Infographic Fridays & the Psychology of Color
Twitter: HelzDesign
says:
OMG – i would have died with this sparkling stuff.
luckily no german business person would ever have the idea that sparkling flashing stuff would be suitable for business … on the contrary you have to persuade them to be a bit more daring … not always blue + helvetica …
when i did my logo a friend asked me about target group – heck we talked about MY logo!
and yes i usually do (officially) 3 drafts (usually more) for client … but we exchange ideas via email
and i need a kind of meeting too … but that meeting has to be a contact … in person, via phone or skype or at least email … it wouldn.t work if a friend tells me that somebody she knows …
will try the homework next time … when the customer tends to be over picky
helen recently posted..Scenic Sunday
Twitter: bloggingwgypsy
says:
suggest looking on Pinterest — wink wink — you can also suggest Googling printed labels for craft projects … I’m terrible at keywords LOL
Twitter: bloggingwgypsy
says:
I’ve not had a problem with the “homework” so far … It’s easiest, as Melissa said as well, if the customer has something to visually compare to what they want or would like. That’s why I like doing a consultation with clients. It helps! It really does!
I have had an incident where I declined the project during the consult because the client seemed to think that bling, sparkles, & obnoxious flashing banners was cool and was adament on a total dark background — after spending about 30 minutes going over pros and cons of these choices — I decided to decline. I gave the client several referrals of designers and developers. And it worked out better for both of us.
Kimberly ~ Gypsy recently posted..Why I Self-host my WordPress Blog
Twitter: coachlindaluke
says:
Thanks for this. I love your LIfe Coach example as that is what I do. What I realized is that the colors depend on what you are working with clients on. Some coaches are focused on goals and action and some are more about supporting people in feeling more peaceful as they navigate life. Our niches, intentions, and offerings can also help us choose colors.
Appreciate the post and look forward to more.
Linda Luke
http://lifecoachlinda.wordpress.com/
Linda Luke recently posted..Make Peace with Your Inner 2 Year Old
Thanks, Linda.
Melissa recently posted..Geeks VS. Nerds
I did not know that about “green and wedding gowns- as the preferred choice in the 15th century”. As always, now that I am reading your blog, Melissa – I dig it! Keep up the good writing!
Thanks for the kind words, Patty. I hope you’ll stop back by again soon.
Melissa recently posted..Geeks VS. Nerds
Twitter: richclubgirl
says:
Amazing information about the colors. I didn’t know or haven’t noticed before that blue is used in corporate business. I guess I need to change the colors on my site now
thank you for such cool information!
Julia recently posted..6 Famous Movie Jewels
It’s a great resource — Don’t do anything drastic, remember it’s only guidelines and you still have to be happy with your website.
Melissa recently posted..Words of Wisdom from Pablo Picasso
Twitter: nowsourcing
says:
Hey Mellissa,
Thanks so much for picking up the psychology of color infographic – glad you liked it! Infographic Friday’s a great idea – every day is infographic day for us
Brian Wallace recently posted..Boy “Meets” Girl: Dating in a Virtual World
You’re very welcome, Brian. Keep up the awesome work over there and I’ll be sure to continue sharing it for you
I am a color consultant who has to KNOW about this kind of thing in order to recommend color for my clients whether it be a website, a graphic design or the living room walls. As thorough as the above analysis is, the fact that this is from the USA has a lot to say about color itself. Remember that COLOR is CULTURAL. The color RED can mean one thing to an American and another to a Japanese and another to an Eskimo. I have just started a new website about color around us and how it can influence your choice: http://colorishue.wordpress.com/
I will use your color psychology analysis however as a resource as I think it is very well done. Thank you.
dolores recently posted..Thin Places
Thanks, Delores — Be sure to credit NowSourcing when you grab this infographic as it was actually created by them. It is important to realize colors are seen differently by different cultures however, a lot of the colors still stand across many of the world’s cultures. I think that NowSourcing did a fantastic job on this infographic. Thanks for stopping in.
Melissa recently posted..Words of Wisdom from Pablo Picasso