The Psychology of Color to Enhance User Experiences

Pictured: Colorful chalk dust. Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

Have you ever heard that someone is “feeling the blues”, “green with envy” or maybe even “seeing red with rage”? Think of the calming effect of ocean blues, the attentiveness red of a stoplight or even cautionary yellows that immediately get our attention. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that humans can distinguish up to 10 million colors. Color and human emotions have long been in relationship with each other.

According to Kurt, S., & Osueke, K. K., “the color that surrounds us in our daily lives has a profound effect on our mood and on our behavior.” This is something that we can leverage in the digital space. We can use the psychology of color to enhance user experience by taking the same principle and applying it to our designs.

Accounting For Personal & Cultural Differences

Pictured: A policeman puts a green hat on a girl's head. [Photo by Chen Wencai from Western China Metropolis Daily/CFP]

It is important to consider the fact that context does exist and that what may evoke one emotion from one person can invoke a completely different emotion is someone else. This is particularly true across cultures.  For example in the United States green is a color associated with wealth and even the environment. In China however, there is a sort of taboo with wearing green hats as it is associated with infidelity. This is a great example of how much color can truly affect the human mind and decisions. According to Shanghai Today, 

“The stigma attached to green hats is so strong that it’s even been used as a form of punishment. In 2015, police in Shenzhen made jaywalkers wear green hats and jackets as part of a public shaming campaign. Offenders were required to assist the police in catching other violators, and their photos were posted on social media. Many jaywalkers opted to pay fines rather than face the humiliation of wearing a green hat.”

Pictured: colorful umbrellas. Photo by XiaoXiao Sun on Unsplash

Color Psychology

Color psychology includes the meanings of colors (accounting for cultural differences as above), emotional reactions to colors, factors that influence color preference and how colors influence our thoughts and behaviors. It is important to reiterate that although color has a profound impact on how we feel and act, that these effects can be subjective across cultures and even within cultures.

The impact of the internet and globalization can cause us to not consider specific cultural differences. Another example is how the color white is typically used to symbolize purity and innocence in the West but in many Eastern countries it is seen as a symbol of mourning. By using and understanding these principles, we can create a framework to enhance user experiences across platforms.

What’s Next?

I will be exploring each color in future articles. We will learn about red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, pink, brown, black and white. What is your favorite color and what emotions do they invoke when you see it? My favorite colors are orange and yellow, and I love them because they remind me of a beautiful sunrise and sunset.

Works Cited

Greenberg, Alex. “Why You Might Not Want to Wear Green Hat in China.” Shanghai Observed, Shanghai Observed, 5 Oct. 2024, shanghaiobserved.com/blogs/stories/why-you-might-not-want-to-wear-green-hat-in-china?srsltid=AfmBOopP64ERZfQVyR7lg6b0D_NhCN4_WHKUkLI3C-_8C5S0NlHbEHwv.

Kendra Cherry, MSEd. “Can Color Really Influence Your Mood and Behavior? Here’s What to Know.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 20 Feb. 2024, www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824#toc-the-psychological-effects-of-color.

Kurt, Sevinc, and Kelechi Kingsley Osueke. “The effects of color on the moods of college students.” Sage Open, vol. 4, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2014, https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244014525423.

Mika, Alex, and Michael Chu. “Color in UX Design: Theory, Impact & Applying: Ramotion Agency.” Color in UX Design: Theory, Impact & Applying | Ramotion Agency, RAMOTION, 1 Nov. 2025, www.ramotion.com/blog/color-in-ux-design/.

Mukamal, Reena. “How Humans See in Color.” American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 29 Sept. 2017, www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/how-humans-see-in-color.

Murphy, Jennifer. “How Color Is Perceived by Different Cultures: Eriksen Translations.” Eriksen Translations Inc., Eriksen Translations Inc., 17 Mar. 2025, eriksen.com/marketing/color_culture/#fn1.