Effects of color schemes on aesthetic response of the work environment

Abstract

Color can enhance subjective aesthetic judgment and provide an effective work environment. This study investigated the influences of workplace color schemes on participants’ aesthetic response. Two monochromatic (red, purple-blue) and two analogous color schemes (warm, cool) were studied in the simulated work environments. 53 interior designers who volunteered to participate in this study, rated evaluative factors using the semantic differential scale on a questionnaire. The results indicated that the different color schemes can affect participants’ aesthetic evaluation.
The purple-blue space creates a feeling of calmness while red can provoke the feeling of stimulating. The cool colored space is generally perceived more positively regarding visual comfort, being comfortable, and relaxing. The warm colored space tends to provide more vivid, bright and warm sensation. Monochromatic color schemes can create a sense of harmony and simplicity within space. Some of the aesthetic evaluations are rated as equal under the monochromatic and analogous colored space. The results suggested that the color schemes have both positive and negative influences on participants’ aesthetic response of the work environment.