Robin Williams the actor and comedianHearing of Robin Williams death last week brought back memories when I had the opportunity to work with him on the 1996 movie “Jack.” Robin played Jack, a boy who had a disease that made him grow up too fast, so that at age 10, he actually looked like a 44-year-old.  

My position while I was working on the movie was as a Costumer. A Costumer works in the Costume or wardrobe department for films. It was my first movie working with Francis Ford Coppola so you can imagine that along with an all-star cast, I was very excited. 

It was also where I first got to apply my learning concerning using the “psychology of color” to influence an audience’s emotions. That is the reason why Robin Williams in the movie Jack is my topic today.

Jack, being a 10-year-old kid, was like most other kids, just happy to be playing with his friends. Throughout most of the movie, we wanted to influence the audience to experience Jack’s happy mood through hearing him speak and laugh, through background music on the film, and also through the “psychology of color” by costuming him in brighter blues and reds, mostly plaids, mirroring Jack’s happy mood with his playful visual image. Thus, ensuring that the audience’s response would be one of happiness too.

However, there was one scene in the movie where Jack was not happy. It was a scene where he was having a quiet conversation and his mood was very somber. Using the “psychology of color,” we dressed Jack in a faded blue shirt, so that Jack’s sad mood was mirrored in his visual image, and the audience would resonate with Jack.

The “psychology of color” is a powerful tool in the film industry. It is also a powerful tool in personal styling. When used appropriately, your visual image can strengthen and solidify your message, evoke emotions, and influence those around you strictly by the colors that you chose to wear.

Today, I am going to share with you the scientific meanings of Neutral Colors that are known for sending a certain message when you wear them, so that you can use the “psychology of color” to benefit you. 

  1. If you want your visual image to be one that conveys a message of strength, authority, and intelligence, wear Black. However, be aware that black is a color that may make you appear unapproachable, when worn from head to toe. So if you like Black, as many people do, add in your “eye” color or a brighter color, to give an air of friendliness and approachability.
  2. If you want your visual image to be one that conveys faithfulness, dependability and trustworthiness, sending a message that you are steady, solid and smart, wear Navy Blue. It also conveys authority, hence it is the color for police officers and the preferred color for politicians.
  3. If you prefer that your visual image conveys reliability and loyalty, sending a message that you are solid and grounded, honest and genuine, then the color Brown should be your choice. It is no surprise that UPS chose this color for their uniforms. But for the everyday person, too much Brown can also convey that you are old-fashioned, out of touch, and a bit boring. Mix your brown with unexpected colors such as Purple, Coral, or Teal to show that you are definitely up to date.
  4. If you want to be taken seriously, and send a message that you are solid like a rock and dependable, consider wearing the timeless color of Gray in your visual presentation. Gray says that you are practical, calm, responsible and willing to compromise. Because gray does not stimulate, energize, rejuvenate or excite, wearing gray from head to toe may come off as boring, too conservative, or can send a message that you are indecisive. Show a little bit of your personality by adding tinted, toned gray, shaded or brighter colors that compliment your personal coloring.
  5. Taupe combines the character and dependability of Gray with the warmth of Beige (light Brown). If you want to convey practicality and fairness, when you want to send a message that you are on neutral ground, consider wearing Taupe. However, Taupe will often conceal all feelings of authority, so do not wear Taupe if you want your message to convey authority. Like Brown and Gray, you want to add color with Taupe to compliment your personal coloring and show a bit of your personality.
  6. White is a very versatile color because like black it goes with any color. However unlike Black, White takes away the image of authority. By wearing White, you might send a visual message that you are optimistic, fair, and have noble intentions, but it also suggests that you may be inexperienced, ignorant, fastidious, critical and cautious. If you are in a professional environment, I would not suggest wearing head to toe white.

 

That’s it for this week. Whether you are a business person negotiating a raise with your boss, or a mother negotiating with your child’s teacher or just at the local PTA, to ensure that you are going to be successful, use the “psychology of color” tools to make sure that your visual image mirrors your message.

Now, it’s your turn. Do you have an example of how the “psychology of color” has worked for you?  I’d love to hear!  Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.

Blog me.

Love,

~Michelle