Using Color to Spark Creativity
Using Color to Spark Creativity
By Melissa Bolt of Melissa Bolt Color Consulting
We all respond to color in different ways based on everything from childhood experiences to current fashion trends, but some colors almost universally establish a mood. When designing a space, along with functionality is the question about the mood we want to convey, how we want to feel in the space. For example, one might want a restful, calm-feeling bedroom and might use soft, slightly-grayed blues or soothing serene greens.
But one might want a bedroom that is dramatic and, well, sexy, and would perhaps use some variation on red that, no kidding, in low lamplight feels downright sultry.
I hear “warm and cozy” and “light and airy” the most.
So how do we achieve a mood that inspires creativity? What color(s) will spark our creativity? Well, think of the qualities that express the kind of creativity you want to tap into. Some of us desire a frenetic, high-energy space where the colors are as loud as the music. They can create a sense of urgency, of healthy time pressure, of bold ideas bursting forth.
And since creativity is not a “one-size-fits-all” mentality, the other extreme is represented by orderly, clean, spaces—maybe whites for a crisp, awake, feeling where bright ideas bubble to the surface.
And I know that there are a ba-zillion of us that fall somewhere in between, preferring neutrals like taupe, beige, or gray, or muted colors that inspire the kind of creativity that comes from deep reflection, introspection, and inspired pondering.
It depends on so many factors, but start with the mood, how you want to feel in the space, and think about the colors that make YOU feel that way. And don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You may be surprised at how a new color can get those creative juices flowing!
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