Looking at Colour Schemes in Every Day Life

To further investigate the application of colour theories, I have observed colour schemes of objects in things on my day-to-day travels, for example looking at what people are wearing and colour themes in stores and shop windows.

The Body Shop - shop front uses a high value, high chroma shade of green with white. This is very simple and natural. It applies the principle of familiarity as it is pleasing to most and readily accepted. This colour principle is based on nature, therefore the connotations of the store is a reflection of the brand values, being based on natural and organic products. Customers and passersby therefore create an association.

This beauty store is predominantly white, giving a clean and clinical appeal. Using white as the dominant colour gives the illusion of space. . Adding a rich, high value tone of red gives the customer a feeling of luxury and expense and creates a chic effect. The employees are all wearing black which contrasts strongly with the white. Overall, there is a achromatic colour scheme but with the addition of one bold, high value, high chroma primary hue of red.

The model in this display wearing different tints and shades of blue. This is a monochromatic colour scheme which creates a subtle effect due to the lack of contrast. The arrangement of colour give emphasis as only one hue is used but with differing values and intensities, overall this emphasizes the hue of blue. As this model is at the entrance of the store, it indicates that the collection is subtle and muted and will not have overtly bold fashion pieces.

This display demonstrates the application of the principle of novelty. Bold, high value hues have been contrasted with one another to create a young, lively, fun look. Having such a variety of hues with high and low values and bright and dull intensities creates a balanced scheme. A triad colour scheme is applied on one of the models, using green, pink and purple. The model on the right has 2 different colour schemes combined, using red and purple and then green and purple. Blending primary and secondary colours together is called a split compliment colour scheme.

This display uses warm, aggressive and intense hues of brown and orange and applies the principle of familiarity, where the colour scheme is based on nature. The colours resemble those of the autumn season. The colour scheme is classified as an analogous combination, where colours adjacent on the wheel are used. Soft, low value tints of brown/beige are added to the scheme to create balance with the high chroma, high value hues of orange and brown.