What Is Color Psychology and Why Is It Important in Every Craft?

Color psychology is a study that deals with the relationship of colors with human emotions and behaviors. Every color has an impact on the way we perceive things because it has a psychological trigger that not only influences our mental state but also our decision-making and reactions.

Color psychology is important, especially in the arts and design, because it is a central part of communicating visuals. 

But also remember that color psychology is just a guide, and you can always follow your heart and trust your creative instinct.

The thing is, understanding the psychology behind every hue will help you make sense of how your craft affects others.

For example, the first thing that someone notices in clothes is the color. The same thing happens with the yarns you see here at Rena’s Threads and Craft. 

What excites and makes you say, “ It’s a beautiful colorway, Rena!” is exactly how the psychology of hues affects your emotions.

Colors are Life

There is something about colors that makes the world a joyful place to live in. They make everything vibrant because they themselves are life. 

It’s hard to imagine a colorless universe. Even a person with color vision deficiency (colorblind) can still see colors, only that they have a hard time distinguishing the right shade.) There must be a reason why the Creator of all things painted a colorful earth and even the galaxies.

As an artist, colors are what make my artworks come alive. Without them, there is no art at all. How I choose colors is based on what I want to convey through my art. I believe it should be the same thing with any artform, including crochet and other fiber crafts. 

Colors and Their Meanings

So, what do colors mean, and how do they influence emotions? Let’s look at the following:

Blue, especially those with softer tones, is an inviting color that evokes peace and relaxation. You can sense this when you look up at the sky during the day. It gives a feeling of a “new day,” giving you strength and hope. Deep and royal blue are also great if you want to communicate trust. That’s why corporate uniforms and logos usually are in this shade of blue. 

Purple is the color for royalty because of its elegance. It evokes a sense of luxury and inspires creativity and spirituality, providing emotional balance.

Black is another color that exudes elegance when properly used. Because it can also easily communicate darkness and evoke negative emotions. It also conveys a sense of mystery. Think of the galaxy and the night sky. It makes you wonder what lies beyond the pitch-black atmosphere. 

White is usually associated with peace and simplicity. It is also a universal hue that can be paired with any color. While it is good as it is, its versatility makes it great as a contrast base in design and even in textile craft. It is good to use when you want to transition from one color to another.

Green, a color of nature, evokes refreshment. It also means prosperity, as in a green field awaiting for the harvest season. It is renewal, growth, healing, and a sign of life. 

Brown, as another nature’s color, means being grounded and humble. It also conveys reliability. Its other shades like camel brown and tan bring warmth, classic luxury, and comfort. 

Red is a fiery color that means strength, passion, and confidence. It is also a romantic color that evokes love, yearning, and unquenchable desire. 

Orange is an energetic color that signifies health and vitality. There is a reason why the sunset and sunrise have orangey shades, because they signal a reset, an ending, and a new beginning. 

Yellow is joy and happiness. It’s great for accents and also as a sole color in an artwork or craft piece. 

Choosing Your Colors

If you want to be technical, you can refer to the color wheel to find the ideal combination of colors. Just remember the following:

• If you want to create strong contrasting palettes, choose the complementary colors, or the ones opposite on the color wheel.
• If you want to achieve a harmonious look, choose among the analogous colors or the ones next to each other on the color wheel.
• If you like cohesive hues, look at the monochrome palettes or the various shades of the same color.

Download our printable color wheel here: 

 

In the End...

Sometimes, allowing your artistic intuition creates wonders. Let the colors speak to your heart and soul, and let them choose you instead of the other way around. There is something about art that remains a mystery, such that it communicates beyond logic, so follow its direction when needed. 

Happy crafting!