How Colors Affect You: What Science Reveals

Watch How Colors Affect You: What Science Reveals

  • 2013
  • 1 Season

How Colors Affect You: What Science Reveals is a fascinating journey into the world of color psychology and its impact on our daily lives. Presented by William Lidwell, a renowned author and designer, this course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the science behind the way we perceive, react, and interact with colors.

The course includes 12 lectures, each of which is approximately 30 minutes long. It covers a wide range of topics, including the history of color, the different color systems, the science behind color perception, and the psychological effects of color on human behavior.

Throughout the course, Lidwell utilizes a combination of engaging visual aids, thought-provoking examples, and practical insights to help viewers understand the complex world of color. He explains how colors are not just visual experiences but also have emotional and cultural significances that can influence our thinking, mood, and behavior.

One of the key takeaways from the course is the idea that there is no universal meaning to colors. Different cultures and individuals may interpret and respond to colors differently based on their unique experiences and contexts. For example, while red may signify passion and love in Western societies, it may connote danger and warning in other cultures.

Another important concept explored in the course is the idea of color contrast and harmony. Lidwell explains how certain color combinations can create a sense of balance and beauty while others may cause visual discomfort or confusion. He also examines how different color schemes can be used to enhance or detract from the readability and visibility of objects, such as road signs or websites.

The course also delves into the practical applications of color science in various fields, such as art, design, business, and health. For example, Lidwell examines how color can be used to convey brand identity and message, improve productivity and creativity in the workplace, and promote healing and well-being in hospitals and other healthcare settings.

One of the unique aspects of How Colors Affect You is the inclusion of practical exercises and quizzes that allow viewers to apply and test their knowledge. These activities range from identifying color harmonies to analyzing the color schemes of famous artworks to designing their own color palettes.

Overall, How Colors Affect You: What Science Reveals is an engaging and informative course that unlocks the mysteries of color psychology and its real-world implications. Whether you are an artist, designer, marketer, healthcare professional, or simply curious about the science of color, this course offers something for everyone.

How Colors Affect You: What Science Reveals is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (6 episodes). The series first aired on March 4, 2013.

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Seasons
The Blue Lecture
6. The Blue Lecture
January 1, 1970
In this final lecture, focus on the last color in the logical color sequence and one of the most commonly chosen favorite colors throughout the world: blue. As you'll discover, there are some interesting and unique properties of the color blue that set it apart from other colors and make it seem, in some respects, almost magical.
The Green Lecture
5. The Green Lecture
June 1, 2020
Fertility. Envy. Success. These are just a few of the many common associations the brain makes with the color green. Here, Professor Lidwell takes you even deeper into this lush color, guiding you through an exploration of two lesser-known contexts of green: as a way to foster creativity and a way to reduce anxiety and mental fatigue.
The Yellow Lecture
4. The Yellow Lecture
June 1, 2020
Why is yellow the most vibrant color to the human eye? How does the human eye detect yellow wavelengths so effectively? Why is there such a fine line between "good" and "bad" shades of yellow? How can it work to help increase cognitive performance? Find the answers to these and other provocative questions in this richly detailed and rewarding look at one of nature's most powerful colors.
The Red Lecture
3. The Red Lecture
March 4, 2013
Turn now to the color red, which holds a unique place in the pantheon of colors, thanks to its primal significance in expressing fear, strength, beauty, status, and passion. What do we know with confidence about the meanings behind the color red? Find out by examining several powerful examples of the color red at work.
The Black and White Lecture
2. The Black and White Lecture
March 4, 2013
In this fascinating lecture, Professor Lidwell takes you inside the meanings behind these two elemental colors. You focus on two specific contexts for black and white: competitive contexts (where black signals aggression and white signals submission) and moral contexts (where black signals evil and white signals goodness).
The Meanings of Color
1. The Meanings of Color
March 4, 2013
Begin your exploration of how colors affect you with a look at the general science behind color, first uncovered by Isaac Newton. Then, investigate the pervasive power of color on human behavior with a close look at how color shapes our perception of what food tastes like. Finally, discover the three core ideas that form the foundation of how all humans perceive, interpret, and respond to color.
Description
Where to Watch How Colors Affect You: What Science Reveals
How Colors Affect You: What Science Reveals is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch How Colors Affect You: What Science Reveals on demand at Amazon and Hoopla.
  • Premiere Date
    March 4, 2013