Colors
As the arrival of spring is just around the corner, we begin to see the transformation of greenery all
around us. Since Los Angeles doesn’t have a true fall season, this might be the only time where we are
given visible evidence of a change of seasons. It’s a beautiful sight-- the abundance of blooming flowers
creates an array of colors that brightens your mood and lifts your spirit. But why? Are we truly
rejuvenated by a simple change of color? I want to know why certain colors carry such significance
and why we gravitate towards certain schemes or pairings.
We’ve discussed green space many times in class, but maybe the turn of the seasons can affect people
almost just as much.
around us. Since Los Angeles doesn’t have a true fall season, this might be the only time where we are
given visible evidence of a change of seasons. It’s a beautiful sight-- the abundance of blooming flowers
creates an array of colors that brightens your mood and lifts your spirit. But why? Are we truly
rejuvenated by a simple change of color? I want to know why certain colors carry such significance
and why we gravitate towards certain schemes or pairings.
We’ve discussed green space many times in class, but maybe the turn of the seasons can affect people
almost just as much.
Since the topic of color in nature is an extremely open-ended and vague prompt, I have quite a few
questions. Feel free to make up your own as well.
questions. Feel free to make up your own as well.
- How often do you notice signs of seasonal change/ the arrival of spring?
- Ignoring the stereotypical correlations of colors with emotions, do you find certain schemes, tones, or colors to evoke certain feelings?
- Why do you think some colors have vastly different meanings attached to them across different cultures?
- Do you find spring in Los Angeles to be especially significant since we don’t have a true winter or fall?
- Do you have a particularly unique feeling about a certain color/ color scheme? What is it? How did it originate?
- Do you feel favorite colors have any connection to personality?
I would say that in the past I never really noticed the change in season until I saw a particularly bright patch of flowers, but this year I am much more aware of the change in season. I would definitely say that certain colors evoke certain feelings, but I am finding it hard to not pay attention to the stereotypes. Flowers, especially, have a long history with colors and with what certain colors can mean for different flowers. For example, red flowers often represent love, yellow flowers represent happiness, blue flowers for peace and tranquility, etc. Because these colors have meanings that are so deep-rooted in history, I find that when I see these colors I usually feel something similar to whatever they have represented for so long. I find it really interesting how flowers have come to represent so much because of a specific color or because of what they have represented in history. I never really noticed a change in season to be significant so I wouldn’t say spring in Los Angeles is especially significant. I’ve never heard anyone talk about how beautiful Los Angeles is in the springtime whereas many people rave about spring on the east coast with the wonderful cherry blossoms. Maybe it is harder for Los Angeles to have a true spring because we lack the trees and plants to actually be able to see a change in season. But, I will say that while walking through The Arboretum, my group commented on how beautiful it must be during the spring, so maybe you just have to find the right place in Los Angeles to see spring.
ReplyDeleteIn Los Angeles, with the lack of greenery, it can be hard to notice the signs of seasonal change/ the arrival of spring. However, I have noticed that after some trees are barren from winter, they start producing flowers and leaves come spring. I find that greys often make me feel down or unproductive. Brighter colors usually evoke more happier and energetic emotions. Reading this question, I think about mood rings and how that correlates colors with moods. I think that colors have vastly different meanings attached to them across different cultures because associations are created by experiences, and if those experiences are vastly different whether it be the environment, language spoken, etc., then it would create different feelings toward each thing. I do not find spring in Los Angeles to be especially significant since we don’t have a true winter or fall. I think the one season that I find to be significant in Los Angeles is summer, where the weather is extremely hot and there is a great flow of tourists streaming in. I think favorite colors do have a connection to personality in some cases.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I’m definitely very influenced by the colors, tones, and general environment around me. I love the sun and bright colors, so during spring and summer times I try to spend almost all of my time outside. I think bright colors and tones definitely influence me to be happier and more energetic, especially during the summer and spring. I don’t think spring in Los Angeles is as significant as it probably is in other locations, since we experience generally tame weather year round (except for the feisty Santa Anas). However, although we have generally pretty good weather in Los Angeles, I still very much appreciate the springtime for its beauty. I would say don’t have connections to specific colors as much as I do to the tones. As long as the color is bright and light, it generally will make me happy. I also really like the color yellow because it reminds me of the sun and the beach. I can’t necessarily say if colors have connections to personalities, but I imagine there must be some psychological reason why a person would have an affinity for a certain color over others (whether that be because of memories, childhood, association, etc.).
ReplyDeleteNow that I think about it, I actually do notice the arrival of spring pretty often. Whether it be noticing poppies popping up on the side of the road or pansies in peoples’ gardens. I really enjoy seeing these new flowers and plants. Also, every spring, I usually go to see the poppies that take over the hillsides near Santa Clarita. Whenever my parents start talking about planning our trip to go see the poppies on those hills, I know spring has come.
ReplyDeleteI think that spring in Los Angeles is especially significant since we don’t have a true winter or fall. It's sort of our only chance to enjoy seeing changes in nature. You can see the influence of spring by the large amount of Angelenos who make the trek out to see the iconic poppies on those hillsides near Santa Clarita.
For your question about if we have a particularly unique feeling about a certain color, I really like the colors orange, magenta, turquoise, and blue. I tend to like loud, bright colors. I tend to gravitate towards loud clothes because loud colors make me feel happy
I don't think I've ever been super aware of the arrival of spring - after all, we still have greenery in winter and summer, and usually even throughout fall. It's not that I don't notice new flowers blooming or brighter colors around me, but I don't think these phenomena have a strong affiliation with "springtime" in my mind as opposed to just "the workings of nature".
ReplyDeleteIn terms of your questions about color, I have a lot of thoughts and I'm not sure how coherently I'll be presenting them, but here they are. I have always had strong opinions and feelings about colors. I'm no visual artist, but I do pride myself on having a good sense of color. When I'm watching movies, I always appreciate good, coherent color schemes, and I value the meaning that filmmakers put behind color (if they do put meaning behind it). Since I was a child I've always associated numbers with different colors (1 is red, 2 is blue, 3 is yellow, 4 is green, 5 is red but brighter than 1, etc etc). I've always been drawn to warmer colors, such as reds, pinks, and yellows, because their warmth makes me happier and is associated with good memories in my mind. I think favorite colors can say something about personality, because someone who loves red probably likes it for different reasons than someone who loves blue. I've always thought that colors have a huge impact on our day to day life, especially after reading about how different brands will use colors to influence audiences, such as how restaurants tend to use reds and yellows, which have somehow been shown to make customers hungrier. I think we're extremely lucky to have almost constant access to some sort of color in nature around us, and maybe it could be interesting to look at the effect that a lack of color has on people who live in places where for seasons at a time, nothing is growing.
Honestly, I rarely notice changes in seasons in Los Angeles, save for a few rainy days a year. Perhaps it is because I live in the city of one season, or because I typically have anywhere between 12,000 and 15,000 other things on my mind. However, when I do notice certain tones or color pairings I register some sort of emotional response. I like bold colors as well as patterns, I think because it reminds me (like nature) of the interconnected spirit of this world. Sometimes, particularly when hiking, I ponder the interactions different colors and patterns have with each other, from the beige dirt to the brown mud to the green vegetation. Sometimes they meet seamlessly, as if they are content with coexisting and sharing resources. Other times they seem to push each other away, fighting for territory and nutrients. Either way, its almost like a story being played out, as if the portions of nature have personalities and desires of their own.
ReplyDeleteNow that I think about it, besides the weather, I don’t pay much attention to the signs of seasonal change. Although I often fail to marvel over the change in seasons, I have noticed that I have a strong association between the weather and the seasons and find myself extending or cutting the seasons short accordingly (even though that's just not how it works)
ReplyDeleteI am sure certain schemes, tones, or colors to evoke certain feelings in me subliminally, but I am only actively aware light itself as I am sometimes aware of my mood changing when daylight turns into darkness.
That is a good question but unfortunately I can’t think of a viable possibility right now. Perhaps the geological location of certain cultures could be playing a role in how they think about colors.
I find it to have great significance because spring is my favorite time of year. There’s just something about the odoriferous and variegated flora coming to life draws out a certain indescribable feeling in me
I think colors have an extremely distinct connection to personality. However, I think the depth of this connection varies from person to person
I do notice subtle changes between winter and spring in LA, mostly in the blooming of the wisteria trees a couple streets down from my home or the days getting longer and the sun shining brighter. Besides that, I don't really notice much, and I never consciously think "wow, spring is here!" because all the seasons in LA overlap and the weather stays relatively constant. Even though the transition from winter to spring in LA isn't super noticeable, I do find the season significant. The days are longer and plants are growing. After a sleepy winter, its nice to eventually see that everything is alive, growing, or in bloom again.
ReplyDeleteI do associate certain color schemes with specific feelings, but most are influenced by existing stereotypes. Cool tones like blues and purples make me calm while brighter colors evoke rich feelings. I like to think that my favorite colors have some connection with my personality, but honestly I have not idea.
I almost never notice seasonal changes in Los Angeles. Fall is equally as cold as winter and spring is equally as hot a summer. The leaves don't change, there isn't any snow, there is rarely any rain, and the sun is always shining. Los Angeles is season-less. Because I think Los Angeles lacks seasons, I have no reaction to when spring starts. Everyone always describes spring as one of the most beautiful times of the year, but to me, its the same as the rest.
ReplyDeleteI really do love colors. I am a very colorful person and find that colors can evoke so many different emotional reactions from people. I especially love when colors are used effectively in films. The general ideology is that cool tones represent the lack of emotion while warm tones represent intensity of emotions. Some fun color schemes I love are orange and blue color schemes. Those feel very nostalgic to me as they remind me of sunsets. I've always been more drawn to bright and vivid colors as they tend to elicit feelings of nostalgia and happiness from me. Maybe it has to do with me being brought up in Los Angeles and surrounded by colorful places. Don't get me wrong, in no way do I think all of Los Angeles is colorful. I do think Los Angeles does have its fair share of colorful spots (just watch La La Land). Those "colorful" spots are the spots I remember most fondly in Los Angeles.
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ReplyDeleteJust this past Friday, I was walking up the front steps of Haaga with a few City of Angels classmates, and we all stopped and took a second to notice the beautiful tree in full bloom down the slope on Arden. I’m not sure what type of tree it is (maybe we could all take a class trip down to the tree to identify it with out newly acquired tree ID skills?!), but recently, it transformed from being bare-boned and a little bit sad to a smiling heap of big, blooming white flowers. And it made an amazing background for some Paw Print photos that I took last week! I think that this story of one tree going from being basically unnoticed in other seasons to being paid much more attention in the spring goes to show how the springtime can really affect humans. I think that spring, unlike any other season, reminds us to be thankful for nature and all the unparalleled beauty it brings. Spring to me is a metaphor for hope. Fall is decay and crumbling. Winter is an eerie standstill. But spring is a gorgeous exhale: everything is alive, reminding you that there is still beauty in the world. As a season, spring also feels the most mobile to me. The things that are associated with spring are rather lively and action-packed: bees buzzing around, buds bursting into colorful flowers, birds chirping excitedly. While other seasons could be seen as lazy, sad, quiet, or idle, spring is pleasant, productive, bright, and enthusiastic. Spring to me is the happiest season.
ReplyDeleteLastly (and on a different note), my favorite color is blue, but I rarely ever associate blue with the feeling its typically tied to: sadness. Blue to me is anything but sad. Yes, it has emotional undertones, but I don’t see that as being something inherently “sad.” To me, blue is an incredibly powerful color, an incredibly human color. I’m not sure what that means, but that’s all I can really say about it.
I would say that I am very cognizant of the change of seasons even if that doesn’t mean much for a Southern Californian. Every day on my drive to school, I take stock of how all of the trees and greenery on my route have changed. I enjoy watching all of the colors change and the leaves fall from their branches. I think the impact of Spring in Los Angeles is very significant to me though I am not sure everyone agrees on that. I would also say that while I think Spring in LA is incredible, I haven’t spent enough time anywhere else to have something to compare it to. I love Spring because of all of those cliche things it represents: growth, rebirth, etc. etc.. Colors become brighter, the weather is temperate, and it is easy to want to spend time outside.
ReplyDeleteI do think that certain colors evoke certain feelings in me. Regarding the environment, I would say that my mood is always brightened by lush and vibrant colors. I love a gloomy, rainy day as much as the next person, however, it is blue skies that put a little pep in my step. Beyond colors in nature, I have pretty strong preferences about color. I have a favorite color, but more than that, I have colors that I really dislike. I truly could not tell you where these opinions come from but I know that I have them and they are strong. Do not even ask me about how I feel about navy blue (I feel poorly about it).
ReplyDeleteHow often do you notice signs of seasonal change/ the arrival of spring?
I notice spring when I can no longer wear a hoodie comfortably, when I regret wearing pants to school, or find myself complaining about the sun with friends. Also the never ending sneezing from all the pollen.
Ignoring the stereotypical correlations of colors with emotions, do you find certain schemes, tones, or colors to evoke certain feelings?
I think that color has a correlation with emotion. There have been a ton of studies and articles investigating how color schemes and color can affect us: here are some of my favorites:
Article about how UX (user experience changes depending on color use)
- https://uxplanet.org/how-color-can-effect-emotion-ccab0431b1d
Article about how color affecting purchasing: https://medium.com/crobox/how-color-affects-shopping-habits-36141daf4c49
Why do you think some colors have vastly different meanings attached to them across different cultures?
I think because of how color has developed in different cultures (as in logistically how the colors were made, who got them, etc) the language and meaning behind them would change.
Do you feel favorite colors have any connection to personality?
I dont think so? I think its one of those things where people are really good at giving abstract concepts human qualities.
Most times I tend to not notice the signs of the seasonal changes. For me, I do not feel like I am affected by the weather or seasonal changes that much. For instance, no specific colors or tones evoke any emotions out of me. While it does not affect me as much, I do think that for some people the changing of seasons impacts their emotions. To answer the question about the significance of spring time in Los Angeles, I think it depends on the person. Los Angeles is such an urban place that I do not notice that much of a difference other than the fact that the sun is not as intense during the spring/winter. However, I do know people that enjoy the spring more than other seasons in Los Angeles due to everything feeling rejuvenated.
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