The Color of Space

... From Biz2Biz NWA March 2009


By Janie Pritchett-Clark

Q: What color makes us work harder, faster, smarter?

A: “There’s not a specific color or formula for making us work harder, faster and smarter,” says Jackie Jordan, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “As individuals, we react to stimuli differently. That being said, over the past several years, we have seen the use of vivid colors in corporate interiors grow.

“These bolder colors, such as Chinese Red, Sassy Green and Adventure Orange, make a statement in the office environment, promoting creativity, innovation and forward thinking.”
The type of office has an impact on the colors best suited to the environment, she explains.

“Highly creative environments, such as advertising agencies, tend to use vivid colors more liberally, while in a high-powered attorney’s office the color may be more subdued. However, the reception areas and meeting rooms of any office space provide ample opportunity for bold colors.”

Q: What impact does color have on employees or customers?

A: “Color has always had an impact on employees – both positively and negatively,” says Jordan. “The trend to create an up-to-date interior using a colorful palette, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, has resulted in beautiful and energetic spaces.

“Many companies give employees the freedom to select an accent wall for their office from a pre-determined palette of colors. This gives them a sense of ownership that in turn creates a happy employee – and happy employees are more productive.”

As for customers, “First impressions are the key to a company’s image, so making a great statement when you walk into the lobby is vital,” she says. “Companies that use up-to-date, modern colors give the impression that the company is forward thinking and open to new and fresh ideas.

“Branding with color has also become incredibly important. We all know what brown has done for UPS. Employees and their customers will identify with a company’s color, creating a positive, personal and welcoming feeling and even a bond with that company.”

Q: What's the color palette for 2009?

A: “This year, color trends create simple and modern solutions by adding pops of bright, energetic hues for contrast and dimension. More and more, corporate design trends are influenced by a younger generation and by innovations in technology.

“For example, we are seeing bright white furniture accented with punches of bold orange and green. More and more, we are trending away from less saturated or ‘muddier’ colors for office environments. Instead, we are looking for more excitement with bolder colors.”
The names are fun, too. Check out the Sherwin-Williams’ Invigorate, Lucky Green, Gambol Gold, Black Magic, and Gauntlet Gray.