Favourite Colours

Why are traffic lights RED the world over? Why are blue and white so commonly associated with medicine? And why do we believe that black is a slimming colour? There is a reason behind each question, as we shall see later on. Colours and the way we perceive them on their own or in relation to others trigger feelings within the mind and may explain why we act a certain way. In this article, Gamblib attempts to explain the psychology behind the colours which surround us every day of our life.

Blue is the Colour

Let’s start from home base. Gamblib wears a blue jacket, incidentally also the UK’s favourite colour as indicated in the infographic above. Blue is in essence a soothing and serene colour, the colour of the ocean on balmy, sunny days and the colour of beautiful clear skies. Very few people know however, that blue also symbolizes intelligence and logic, which is why it is so closely associated with medicine. It is also the colour of clear communication and trust. What Gamblib conveys with his blue jacket therefore is the idea of trust: the aim here is that the visitors can immediately sense that Gamblib’s recommendations for online casinos or his reviews of free slots are unbiased and honest. It might seem a trivial matter, but research backs this up. The fact that blue is also the UK’s favourite colour (apart from the fact that it probably reminds them of the sea when on holiday) also shows their appreciation of efficiency. Conversely, blue might also appear a cold and emotionless colour – but this has little weight when over time, research has concluded that blue is in fact the world’s overall favourite colour.

A Pulsating Red

On the other side of the spectrum, red is the colour more closely associated with emotions. It is stimulating, engaging the viewer and grabbing his attention more than any other colour. It increases the pulse rate and is the colour which suggests warmth. This is why it is the colour we normally associate with the day of love on the 14th of February. The world celebrates St Valentine’s day with red roses, red cards and red hearts. A quick trip down the romance-themed slots by Gamblib will also treat you to a display which is mostly red or in varying tones thereof, including pink or purple. Red is a strong colour, but because of its power, it is also perceived as an aggressive colour which triggers anger. And everyone knows that although the bull in a fight does not see a red drape, the matador chose the colour on purpose – to the public, it is the colour which infuriates the bull. Red is the UK’s second favourite colour, an ironic choice given their first preference is of the cooler tone of blue.

Sunshine Yellow

What of the yellow background against which the entire website of Gamblib is based? Here again, there is a psychological game at play. Yellow, or rather, the right tone of yellow in relation to the colours which surround it, is the colour which enhances self-esteem. It is the colour of positivity, of confidence and creativity, and it is on these properties that Gamblib bases his reviews of slots and casinos: if they don’t match his idea of an entertaining game (that also gives a good return to player), then it won’t get featured at all. Too much yellow however, can cause anxiety, which is why Gamblib’ scheme is riddled with darker shades of yellow and touches of blue to break the yellow background. This in the end creates a great balance between logic and confidence, ingredients for the perfect gaming experience.

Colour in Context

Colour has the ability to make or break the environment it is found in. Intense research has gone into what colours you should adopt for your office, your bedroom, your kids’ nursery – even your bathroom hasn’t escaped scrutiny! While schemes have a way of changing according to what’s in fashion that season or year, as was the case for example with pastel colours these past few seasons, the basic colours – green, red, blue, white, yellow – are timeless in their evocations. So, as a general rule of thumb:

1. Avoid red if the room, place or website you’re decorating or building is a place where the visitor should relax and feel soothed.
2. Go for white if you want to give an impression of cleanliness, and black if you wish to appear sophisticated. And no, black is not slimming. It is just a colour which does not attract as much attention as others.
3. Go for green touches if you want to create a sense of balance in the household or office, with plants making the ideal touch.
4. Go for pure grey if you wish to include a spot of colour which has no psychological effects.

We live and breathe colours, from the choice in car colour, to the clothes we wear, the decorations we buy and the gifts we give others. Learning how to use colours to your advantage will not only help you achieve what you want, but may also improve your way of life. So the next time you choose which colour you go for your tie, think again! It might have a subconscious effect on the other person you did not wish it to have!