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Color Month: Purple

· March 3, 2011

I’ve been noticing some of those blossoms making an appearance in my outdoor spaces over the last week or so. My backyard is telling me the next stop on the color train is Purple! Of all the colors in the spectrum, the one that often signifies the most depth to me is purple. From the shades of magenta to deeper eggplants, it just seems to have a complexity that always attracts me. It makes me wonder. It makes me imagine. Let’s take a look at the hidden messages the color purple delivers.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:
A combination of red’s excitement and blue’s calm, purple is a complex medium that is most commonly associated with royalty. Unlike some of the other colors, cultural background plays a strong role in how the color purple is perceived in different parts of the world. It’s kind of an uncommon color in marketing applications, but in the right context, it can offer a sense of the daring and dramatic that is powerful. Because of its connection with royalty, purple certainly adds an air of elegance and wealth wherever it is used.

Because purple does not occur as often in nature as other colors, the associations related to it tend to be a bit more introspective. Purple is perceived as a complex and contemplative color often signifying creativity, eccentricity and unpredictability. It sometimes signifies an artistic bent as well as a sense of daring. In many cultures, purple has been used to signify spirituality, and offers a sensual depth of feeling. Colors in the purple family also connote a sense of mystery.

COLOR VARIATIONS:
Blue purple tones that are on the more radiant end of the spectrum are most often associated with New Age philosophies as well as futuristic ideas. The deeper royal purples represent a perceived value in many cultures, particularly in European societies where they are closely associated with royalty. These purples lend a regal and majestic quality to design applications. Lighter, grayed-out purples like lavender evoke softer, more sentimental and nostalgic emotions and are associated with gentility and refinement. They are also perceived as delicate, embodying the sweet tastes and scents present in the plant bearing its name.

NEGATIVE ASSOCIATIONS:
Because purple does not hold as many references found in nature, its associations are more cultural and therefore, more subject to individual tastes. Therefore, it can be challenging to choose where it might appeal to a wide audience. It’s association with New Age and mysticism can be a negative association in many aspects of Western society. In addition, it is also sometimes associated with an exploration of gender roles which can make the color subject to being politicized.

Purple can infuse color palettes with a uniquely rich quality in the right context. It can add a balancing cool undertone to warmer color schemes and conversely a warmer tone to cool schemes. Because purple hues can be pushed from the cool to the warm ends of the spectrum, the color be a powerful counterpoint in color combinations, adding depth and vibrance.

Categories : learn

Tags : color, design in culture, purple

Color Month: Red

Posted by haley montgomery

· February 21, 2011

I took a break from Color Month last week to gratefully give extra attention to some client projects, but I’m back to making my way through the rainbow. Just programming note… I’m having so much fun that I’m extending the color theme through March as well. I’ve found some great color tools and information to share, so keep your eyes peeled!

It’s time for RED! Stop signs, fire engines and lipstick–red always makes an impact. I love the confidence this color injects. From vibrant pure reds and hot pinks to deeper wine and rose colors, hues in the red family imbues a sense of power and dominance. What other unspoken messages does the color red communicate?

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:
Red is often considered the most primal of the primary colors. Of all the colors, red creates the strongest physical reactions. When the eye sees red it actually causes an increase in adrenaline production, heart rate and blood pressure. Wow! Now that’s power. With its association to blood and fire, basic red has a life-sustaining and vigorous reputation that commands attention. Because seeing red also tends to increase appetite and speed up metabolism, it is an obvious color of choice for restaurants and food products. Although red sometimes signifies danger based on how it appears in nature, it is most often equated with excitement and energy. Red at it’s most vibrant, like that of a fire engine or stop sign, is seen as aggressive, passionate, and dynamic. From the curvaceous lips on pin-up posters to racy lingerie and muscle cars, red also adds a seductive, sexy tone wherever it is displayed. In design, red has an arresting effect and will almost always cause the viewer’s eye to stop and pay attention, making it a powerful tool for marketing.

COLOR VARIATIONS:
Deeper red tones like wine or burgundy connote a richer, more refined look than vibrant reds. These colors are seen as more authoritative and mature than bright red and can suggest a more expensive, upscale look of class and reliability. Hot pink tones, on the other hand, suggest a more youthful spirit while maintaining the same high energy as basic red. Milder magenta and fuchsia versions can offer a more grown-up happy medium. As white is added to red, producing lighter pinks, the color loses its stark sensuality in favor of a more romantic, feminine look. Pastel pinks are also perceived as sweet tasting and smelling. More rosy

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tones almost always signify good health and optimism, from cherub-like “rosy cheeks” to indulgent “rose-colored” glasses.

The potential of red in its many variations is so powerful as a marketing tool. It can easily serve to direct the eye and focus the attention. And, it is one of the simplest ways to suggest strong emotions. I have a prospective client meeting this afternoon. Maybe some red heels are in order! *wink*

Categories : learn

Tags : color, design in culture, red

Color Month: Orange

Posted by haley montgomery

· February 7, 2011

We’ve been seriously sun-deprived around the Pond over the last week. It’s the perfect time for Orange! I love the exuberance of this color. The wonderful thing about Tiggers and its association with the brilliance of Autumn aside, orange offers a wealth of richness. Just seeing orange calls to mind evocative words like tangy, bright, and vibrance. In the Plop! continued celebration of Color Month, what unspoken messages does the color orange deliver?

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:
Orange is what we call a “secondary” color, meaning it is created from mixing two primary colors together — red and yellow. A playful melding of red’s warmth and yellow’s brightness, orange usually offers fun and happy connotations. Its associations in nature with the glow of sunset, the radiance of autumn and the tanginess of fruit give it a warm vitality. The fruit that bears its name often helps us imbue orange with a more a more tangy feel than the sharp citrus connotation of yellow. Sometimes it can be hard to take orange seriously, since it often signifies playful and childlike qualities. Brighter versions of the color certainly imply feelings of happiness. However, orange also symbolizes balance and warmth with a touch of vibrant flamboyancy.

The color orange often carries an ethnic quality because of it’s historical use in Native American, Latin American and African arts, as well as it’s association with exotic locales–perhaps taken from the feathers and foliage of tropical birds and flowers. Orange has also been shown to stimulate the appetite and is found in many foods.

COLOR VARIATIONS:
Bright orange tones that strike a near equal balance between red and yellow are widely seen as the hottest of all colors in temperature. Apricot and coral versions of the orange hue offer a more sophisticated tone than bright orange and appeal to a more upscale audience. They have a nurturing, approachable quality as well as tactile connotations because of their association with sand, desert and rocks. Peach tones have strong associations with health and are flattering to most skin tones. They also signify delicious, fresh food and are a more subtle appetite stimulant than stronger oranges.

NEGATIVE ASSOCIATIONS:
Because people generally have strong preferences about orange–they love it or hate it–it can be challenging to find the right application for it. Although brighter neon version are very readable, they sometimes carry a negative association of begin loud and boisterous. Orange can also be seen as cartoonish or childish when applied to more serious subject matter.

Orange in any color palette immediately adds a touch of heat and warmth–but it’s a warmth that has more depth and complexity than is often found with yellow. This quality gives the color a lot of power when paired with neutrals or complimentary hues. For some reason I’m craving O.J. right now! What about you?

Categories : learn

Tags : color, design in culture, nature photos, orange, packaging, vintage design

Color Month: Yellow

Posted by haley montgomery

· February 2, 2011

February is COLOR MONTH around the Pond. I mentioned that I was planning a content emphasis for each month this year to share more detailed information about various marketing or design topics both here on Plop! and on the Small Pond Facebook page and Twitter stream. I’ve been gearing up for color month, so get ready! I’m planning to share some information about color theory and color associations surrounding the basic choices in your 8-count crayon box.

Let’s start with YELLOW!

Caution lights, school buses, taxi cabs & golden arches! Yellow is all around us in our culture today. All colors deliver unspoken messages when used in design, marketing and even wall colors. Often those messages are based on what we see in nature, how a color stands up to history, popular cultural impressions and even the way our bodies are put together. All those factors impact how we respond to various colors. So, what about yellow?

Yellow is the brightest of the primary colors, and indeed all colors. From cheerful daffodil and citrus versions to more creamy hues, color variations in the yellow family create an undoubtedly sunny persona. Yellow almost instinctively says “caution” because of its association in nature with the markings of predators. And, in our culture, the familiar yellow and black road signs reinforce that idea. In fact, a yellow background paired with black offers one of the most noticeable and readable color combinations.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS:
Yellow is equated with the brightness and heat of the sun in virtually every culture. The eye registers bright yellow before any other color. However, yellow’s reflectivity also makes it very fatiguing to the eye. Over time, a bright yellow background tires the eye and has a negative response. Physically, yellow stimulates the appetite and increases metabolism, so we see it everywhere in food service, tableware and grocery store packaging. Yellow almost universally recalls light and warmth. Because of that association with light and the sun, it also often signifies imagination and enlightenment. Bright yellow is widely seen as a very positive and intellectual color.

COLOR VARIATIONS:
Lighter, pastel yellows are considered mellow, soft and cheerful. Daffodil yellow maintains enough brightness to be cheerful, but also offers a more energetic and eye-catching tone–a youthful exuberance. Creamy yellow variations offer a more sophisticated feel and are often associated with rich, delicious foods. Think cheesecake! Lemon yellow is naturally associated with citrus, cleanliness and freshness.

NEGATIVE ASSOCIATIONS:
Cultural phrases like “yellow-bellied” and “yellow journalism” hint at the negative views of the color yellow. Historically, it has been used to describe cowardice and can sometimes reference questionable practices. In addition, yellow tones are sometimes associated with illness, and the color doesn’t generate a healthy look against many skin types.

For the most part, yellow can’t help but spread a decidedly positive feel wherever it’s found. The sunshine and warmth inherent in the color yellow offer a lighter and fresh mood. And because its variations don’t usually reflect any strong gender preferences, I think yellow offers the opportunity for a very sophisticated look. Where are you seeing yellow today?

Categories : learn

Tags : color, design in culture, nature photos, packaging, yellow

Hello & welcome! I’m Haley Montgomery, and I’m the designer and owner of Small Pond Graphics. I sometimes fancy myself a frog kisser— a documentarian coaxing poignant moments from unexpected places. This blog has evolved from those moments.

The small Pond FIELD GUIDE is part diary, part sketchbook, and part wish list – an archive of ordinary wonders. For years, this space has housed my stories – creative ideas, vintage inspiration, our forays into curious places, and the simple artifacts of quiet of conscious living. Through watercolor, photography, and illustrated tales, these pages uncover the blessing of ordinary days and the wonder found in authentic places and pursuits.

I invite you to open the boxes.
Peek into the drawers.
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