Environmental Color Theory

Most of my clients are either corporate teams or individuals that fall into the linear thinker category.  So when I say the words "color theory" to either of these audiences it evokes one of two emotions; anxiety or boredom.  Hence the creation of Environmental Color Theory.

Designed to disect this anxiety inducing topic into 3 sections this view of color and how they relate to each other uses influences that we can all relate to.  Not just the gifted arty type but the analytical, the emotive, and visual. 

Having studied color theory, dabbled in cognitive learning, and spent many hours behind two-way glass eating bowls full of M&M's watching the reactions of anonymous individuals while they explore the practical application of consumer goods to their life (a.k.a. a focus group) I came up with Environmental Color Theory.  I use this when developing a color palette for a client to give them a functioning wardrobe but also when teaching a workshop to corporate teams to give them the tools to express themselves to thier intended audience, but also support how they feel and ultimately not fade into the background or the "black-ground" as I call it.

In a nutshell:

• Color effects emotion.  We have 5 basic emotions from which on a daily basis we would like to call upon to support us; calming, clearing, grounded, powerful and expressive.
• These emotions are also reflective of our environment and the elments found in it; water, wind, earth, sun and energy.
• Visually they relate to colors that fall within each of these emotional and environmental categories such as:
• calming = water = blues, aqua & water tones
• clearing = wind = greys, greens (leaves) & elements of the wind
• grounded = earth = browns & earth tones (sorry no brown available in Blogger)
• powerful = sun = reds, yellows, orange & warmth tones
• expressive = energy = balanced colors such as purple that combines the calm of blue and the power of red

Once you've established the 5 colors that will support you they can be used to become more strategic in your approach to your personal brand style.  It will also make getting dressed easier because each of these colors go together, shopping more strategic, and greater longevity in your personal brand recognition.  And, yes, all of those colors do go together, and you can wear purple as man.  But I'll talk more about that later.