colour in communication

7 ways i use colour design psychology in my consulting karen haller

7 ways I use Colour & Design Psychology in my consulting 

I’m always asked by designers and creatives how they can practically use colour & design psychology in their work. This question often comes because they design intuitively but they notice they can get a bit stuck when their client asks them to explain their decisions or how they have come up with their designs. They…

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newsletter june 2016 is this the world's ugliest colour

Is this really the world’s ugliest colour?

Back in 2016 Opaque Couche, otherwise known as Pantone 448 C, won the ‘ugliest’ colour crown after Australian research agency GfK Bluemoon came up with the colour in response to the Australian government’s plain cigarette packaging policy. Think brand colours have no influence? The Australian government had put a ban in place preventing companies from…

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valentine day going beyond red karen haller

Valentine’s Day: Going Beyond Red

Every year, an estimated 250 million roses are grown worldwide for Valentine’s Day. A staggering number that demonstrates just how significant this tradition has become. Unsurprisingly, red dominates, accounting for around 83% of those roses sold. But what does this mean beyond tradition? The overwhelming preference for red isn’t just about tradition, it reveals a…

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foundation of colour summit karen haller

You’re invited to The Power of Colour Summit

Red is a colour we all react to, sometimes without even realising it. It can ignite passion, boost confidence, or signal danger. But have you ever wondered why? At the Foundation of Colours online Summit this March, I’ll be exploring exactly that in my talk: “The Power of Red: Discover Your Relationship with the Boldest…

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top 5 most read articles for 2024

Top 5 most read articles for 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, I always enjoy reflecting on the articles that resonated most with readers this year. From The Not-So-Unexpected Red Theory and questioning whether it’s time to say goodbye to grey in the office, to neurodiversity shaping the future of workplace design, the balance between sustainability and colour trends, and the…

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top 5 most read articles for 2023

Top 5 most read articles for 2023

With 2023 drawing to a close, I thought I’d take a peek at which articles were the most read this year. While last year they all related to the colour red, this year it’s an eclectic mix from how colour can bring joy, the rise of nature-led trends, the ‘world’s’ ugliest colour to Twitter’s rebrand…

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why you cant learn colour psychology off the internet karen haller

Why you can’t learn colour psychology off the internet 

I was recently interviewed on a podcast aimed at interior designers and the host said that she uses colour psychology in her design business. I was curious where she got her information from. And when I asked, she said, “I just google colour psychology”. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this and it’s a…

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5 top reads for 2022

Top 5 most read articles for 2022

With 2022 drawing to a close, I thought I’d take a peek at which articles were the most read this year. Interestingly, there is a theme here – they all relate to the colour red. So here are the top five most read articles for 2022. Going from 5 to 1, they are… Number 5.…

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why colour has the power to bring us joy karen haller

Why colour has the power to bring us joy

Have you ever associated colour with joy? Have you ever noticed that certain shapes, patterns, design styles make you feel happier than others? This is the subject of a really fantastic Ted2018 talk by Ingrid Fetell Lee’s Where joy hides and how to find it (if you haven’t seen the video there’s a link to…

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iconic brands swapped their brand colours karen haller

What could happen if these famous brands swapped their iconic colours? – part 1

Chances are you’re seeing an iconic brand everyday whether that’s when you’re out shopping on the Internet browsing through a magazine. And it’s likely that you recognise that brand instantly through their brand colours. Imagine what would happen if the colours were to switch? Would our perception of the brand and our relationship to the…

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