The Influence of Color

Color and its ability to influence the way an individual feels in and reacts to a space is often undervalued. However, it is a simple element that can transform an undesirable space into a place that is productive and fun to be in. In addition, it can also make a space feel larger or smaller. Warm hues, which fall along the lines of oranges, yellows, and reds, are used to advance a space and make it feel more stimulating and exciting and also tend to make a space feel more cozy and a little smaller. Cool colors on the other hand, like blues and greens, are used to make a space feel lighter and more relaxed and tend to make a space feel larger and more open. Here are some attributes that certain colors tend to be associated with:

Red - passion, courage, excitement, power, strength, warmth
Orange - energy, warmth, contentment, strength, sensuality, abundance
Yellow - light, cheer, happiness, creativity, confidence, innovation
Green - nature, fresh, growth, abundance, life, youth, renewal, peace, balance
Blue - caring, devotion, trust, peacefulness, serenity, coolness, harmony
Purple - royalty, power, ambition, luxury, relaxation, peace, creativity
White - energy, truth, perfection, serenity, harmony, clarity
Black - formal, reserved, authority, power, glamor

Color also has the ability to affect your concentration, energy level, and productivity. A space that has a lot of vibrant colors going on is going to amp up your energy and reduce fatigue, but may distract from concentration. On the other hand, a space colored with lavender, for example, would relax you and increase concentration.

It is really incredible how powerful an effect something as small as color can have on a space and on the people who use it; never underestimate it.

Sources:
http://painterforum.com/art21.html

Workplace Design and Where We are Headed

The last few days I have been contemplating workplace design as if I was one of the prospective users of the space. It is really interesting to think about because when I picture where I like to work, it is very different from a traditional workplace environment. Often we have been told in classes that workplace design is shifting because of the younger generations that are coming into the workforce. Lately I have been realizing how true this is. The younger generations (myself included) are requiring flexible environments. We do not want to be limited in any way. In fact, when thinking about how I get most work done, I realized that I do not like to sit in the same position or in the same spot for very long. Sometimes I want to be at a typical desk. Other times I want to be on a sofa using my laptop. This shift in expectations has created an interesting challenge for designers. Before, when everyone simply had a desk or cubicle, designing a space did not require as much creativity and utilized fewer types of furniture. Each person could have the exact same workspace and no one expected otherwise.

https://capstonerealty.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/office-design-debate-open-space-versus-the-cubicle/
Above: A fairly typical image of a cubicle-filled work space

Below: An area in Google's office in Dublin shows a creative area with options and an open feel 
 



http://www.home-designing.com/2013/02/googles-new-office-in-dublin

However, now we are desiring a more diverse workspace: different areas where different seating types are offered, different colors shapes sizes, tables, no tables etc. We want the ability to be alone, or in a group, we need time to chat and bounce ideas off of each other, and then turn back around and then get work done individually. However, In most offices where older and younger generations are very mixed, the design of the space has to work for both. This causes designers to be in a transition stage of trying to design for the older and the younger generations simultaneously. However, a shift is happening in office designs and I believe that "open," "varied," and "flexible" are words that will soon describe the majority of workplaces' designs.

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