Magazine
Blue is Good: It's Not a Colour, It's a State of Mind
Discover the power of blue – where does its secret lie?
Blue has long been the winner in popularity rankings. The sky is blue, the sea is blue. And although our gender conventions have assigned it to boys, the truth is that ever since the 19th century, when colour preferences were first studied, blue has regularly ranked near the top with both sexes. So where does its charm lie?
Blue is popular all over the world – in a 2015 YouGov survey it came first in all ten countries polled, across four continents. And while we dress babies in sky blue, as we get older we are said to prefer darker shades. Dark royal blue is, after all, considered majestic. According to researchers at the University of Rhode Island and the University of Wisconsin, our liking for blue is long-standing, but it is only as we age that we begin to attach any special meaning to colours.
01 / 08
Why do we love blue?
According to psychologists, we form our relationship with a colour on the basis of the personal experiences we associate with it. And since we most often link blue with the summer sky or the colour of the sea during the summer holidays, it's no wonder that it settles near the top in our minds for life.
02 / 08
Colours and emotions
That we associate colours with emotions, and that colours affect us, is nothing new. One of the first to explore the idea in a comprehensive way was none other than Johann Wolfgang Goethe, in his Theory of Colours (1810). Since then, dozens of authors and studies have examined colours and their place in our lives. Knowledge of colour has also become the basis of various complementary therapies meant to harmonise body and mind – though their effect has not been scientifically demonstrated.
03 / 08
How does blue affect us?
Most people regard blue as neutral and uncontroversial; it is a symbol of stability and reliability – which is exactly why it is a colour that appears so often in the corporate communication of many brands.
04 / 08
It calms
Blue is associated with calm and relaxation – one of the reasons why blue tones so often appear in hospitals and in airport terminals, where they are meant to soothe passengers before a flight. Research suggests it is less arousing than, say, red; claims that it has a healing effect, however, are not supported by evidence.
05 / 08
It inspires trust
We associate blue with trust – many police forces wear it. Its origin, however, is rather practical: in 1829 London's police chose dark blue to set themselves apart from the army's red coats. Much the same goes for medical clothing: blue and green replaced white in operating theatres because they are easier on the eyes.
06 / 08
Something blue
Blue also stands for loyalty and fidelity – which is why, in some countries, a bride wears ‘something blue’ on her wedding day, as the old English rhyme advises.
07 / 08
Want a more creative team? Paint the office blue
We're not joking – although it isn't quite that simple. In a well-known 2009 experiment, blue surroundings helped with creative tasks, whereas red helped with tasks demanding accuracy and attention to detail. So blue suits rooms where you need ideas, whether on the walls or in the form of accessories. It is not, however, a guaranteed recipe for productivity.
08 / 08
Want to eat less? Try blue plates
Although blue is exceptionally popular, it is not common in nature. Very few fruits and vegetables are blue, so our brain doesn't readily associate the colour with food. Hence the advice that eating from blue plates may curb the appetite. The research is inconclusive, though – the contrast between the food and the plate probably matters more than the colour itself. By all means try it, but don't expect miracles.
