Well it’s been a little late in coming but we seem to be sliding in to the typical spring ‘four seasons in one day’ kind of weather!

Have you noticed the effect of  rain when the brighter sun shines through it? It’s as if  everything sparkles with more clarity! The colours of  spring time flowers and leaves when they finally blossom will appear fresh and lively. These colours share some ‘characteristics’; they’ll have more yellow in them and appear clear and light. These natural colours perfectly capture the upbeat ‘feeling’ of spring; it’s life, energy and optimism. The youthful spring colour personality suits wearing this palette of colours that will support their natural vitality and zest for life.

If you’re a web/graphic/ product designer or branding expert consider using this light, fresh, clear palette. It accurately conveys qualities which relate well to any design concept or proposition that have the associated ‘youthful’ aspects of fun and energy. Some of these colours are quite ‘primary’ so they may work well in a design for a child or youth orientated product, or any design that needs to express fun, lively, sociable, friendly and confident qualities. Have a look at some of these Pantone references and see how well these colours work together then check the colour psychology effects here.

Red Pantone 032, 1787   Orange Pantone 1365  Yellow Pantone 106  Green Pantone 353, 359

Blue Pantone 285, 299 Pink Pantone 706 Purple Pantone 2715 Grey Pantone Warm Gray

Anther part of the spring colour palette are the light ‘Easter’ pastels. Other interior designers and home decorators and enthusiasts might enjoy this lovely blog site that I was recently introduced to  www.decor8blog.com where Leslie writes in her column about how she puts spring colours together illustrated with lovely pictures of inspiring colour story mood boards in the Color Me Pretty post. Enjoy.

Previous spring posts you might enjoy

Applewood – colour in the community

Sparkle in spring

Last week I had the opportunity to visit a recently completed project that I worked on last summer. Applewood is a respite care facility built in the community in Tadworth, Surrey by Surrey County Council for children and young people with disabilities aged 5-18 years. Accompanying me was Susannah Mathieson, National Account Services Manager for Dulux who was interested to see how I had used colour on this project.

When working with colour psychology the key to selecting a palette of colours is to identify the ‘colour personality’ of the environment. What is it used for – who will be using the space and how? A family of colours is then selected accordingly that best captures, expresses and supports the required qualities of the environment. The brief from Pat Williams, manager of Applewood was to create a bright, lively, fun and ‘funky’ living accommodation that would inspire the young guests who will be able to stay at the facility for between 2 and 6 nights

To convey these qualities and the feel that Applewood wanted to create I specified colours that had warm, clear and bright characteristics. The ‘personality’ of this family of fresh spring colours captures perfectly the qualities of youth, vitality, energy, creativity, activity, motivation and fun! It also identifies particularly well with professions, institutions or businesses linked with children and ‘youth’.

I then looked at the individual colours to select the ones which would best support an activity or create an ambience within each particular room. For example in the recreation rooms where the youngsters would be perhaps socialising and conducting activities I specified yellow to encourage optimism and confidence. Other colours I specified for the Applewood palette were green, turquoise, purple, orange and blue. Each of these colours selected contribute to an upbeat and engaging environment both for the young people staying at Applwood and for the staff working there.

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I’ve recently returned from a short winter break to find that nature has awoken and finally there are signs of spring! Everywhere I look I see swathes of daffodils waving in the breeze and the cheerful abundance of crocus flowers. Daylight seems lighter, a little longer and the skies a brighter blue as real ‘colour’ begins once more to emerge in the natural world.

Spring sweeps in like the proverbial breathe of fresh air and represents everything that’s new. Typically all spring colours that occur in nature can be described a light, warm and clear. If you look all around you at the colours of the grass shoots, emerging buds, blossoms and flowers you will see this.

The ‘colour personality’ that mirrors this season will most likely have an innate sense of youthfulness or a young outlook. They may even work with children or young people for the spring personality cares deeply about others and would do anything for anyone.

The ‘bubbly’ spring personality may have light coloured curly hair and bright, clear sparkly eyes. You’ll usually spot them in the thick of it at any social occasion for they love to party and would most likely be first on and last off the dance floor! They are most likely to suit clothing in light, crisp, fresh, smooth textures and fabrics perhaps patterned with polka dots or other small, fine designs. Gold jewellery or jewellery that sparkles, glitters or has a quality of ‘movement’ is quite likely to suit them.

The essence of any children’s products or services with an emphasis on youth, music, dance and fun will be best captured and communicated by the use of a ‘spring’ palette of colours. Yellow is a key spring colour. Reminding us of the return of warmth and sunshine, it relates to our emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem. Bright, fresh greens can seem particularly ‘youthful’ whilst a lively light orange represents fun and sociability.

At home the spring personality will appreciate a lot of light and sparkle. Colours again will be light and warm with light coloured woods and ceramics; fine, crisp textures and small patterns or prints. Look to Kath Kidston’s fun products and colourful design http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/Default.aspx?language=en-GB&extcam=ppc_google for inspiration on the sort of colour and style that would appeal to the spring personality.

Or research the clear, crisp elements of Swedish, Nordic and Scandinavian design influences that includes a lot of the qualities of ‘light’ – Nordic Style http://www.nordicstyle.biz/accessories.php

And finally invite in the spirit of spring and celebrate the tradition of Easter by adding some natural colour with fresh spring flowers!

Spring hand-tied arrangement and tulip jug www.interflora.co.uk

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