Green is my favorite color. It always has been. While I know that green symbolizes money to some (not a bad thing), to me it is the color of nature—lush and refreshing.
Being surrounded by the rush of color that spring brings, each color is highlighted by the surrounding colors. They work together—not detracting but allowing the landscape to be beautiful.
When we communicate with others—through a presentation, through graphics or through text in an article—the use of color can truly add to our message. If not used properly, color can take away from what we’re trying to emphasize.
Microsoft actually has a color palette and related information on their website. It is suggested to use color for emphasis, but to do so carefully. Too much color can confuse the eye of the reader/audience and cause their attention to wander. Using red or orange to emphasize words can be effective. Using blue to emphasize a word can actually have the opposite effect and detract from what you’re saying.
Because color can add so much to what we do, and seems to be a powerful weapon, to follow is a brief color “cheat sheet.” We’ve seen some of these references before, especially when decorating our homes, but the references are worth repeating:
- Green – money, nature, tranquility
- Blue – productivity, calmness
- Orange – excitement, enthusiasm, attention
- Yellow – cheery (use sparingly as it is the color most tiring to the eye)
- Red – stimulant, strong emotions (and the color NOT favored by my accountant friends!)
- Purple – royalty, exotic
- Brown – reliable, natural
Enjoy the spectrum of spring. Bring some of it—and your personality—into your next presentation, ad or posting.
