The beauty of colour is that it possesses a visual language for modern architecture which can be understood internationally. Many colours trigger a learned response, such as red meaning “stop” or “danger” due to its use on road signs and traffic signals, and its link to the colour of blood.
However, we must be wary of certain cultural differences and how interpretations of colour can be influenced by various associations, including politics, history, religion and linguistic expressions[2] (e.g. “green with envy”, “feeling blue”). For example, white symbolises purity in Western culture so is the traditional choice for bridal gowns, but the colour symbolises death in Eastern culture and is often worn to funerals.
The feelings associated with colour can also be related to an individual’s own lived experiences, their personality and preferences, such as the colours worn by their favourite football team. In general, younger people and those with extroverted personalities prefer primary and more saturated colours, whereas older people or introverted personalities prefer more subdued colours.[3]