Andy Goldsworthy

Goldsworthy creates very ‘portal-like’ areas of black that look like infinite pools, that seem to blend between 2D and 3D, or at least give he impression of a 2 dimensional plane in a 3D environment.

I’ve always thought they’re really good at conveying the idea that darkness is just the absence of light.

The Colour Palette in Portal

The environment design of features 2 main colour schemes; the cold blues and whites of the test chambers:



And the warm oranges and browns of the secret hideouts:




The blues and whites reflect the sterile and impersonal nature of the test chambers, whereas the oranges and browns help to convey a more human element, that ties into the idea that these areas have been inhabited by people rather than machines. This colour palette is repeated throughout the game, with the blue and orange portals, for example.

Sunsets in Skyrim

Changing the colour palette of a piece can create a dramatic effect, and in games this can be used to enhance an already existing atmosphere, or to create an entirely new one.

A good example of this are the sunsets in Skyrim. Though the landscape does not change at all the feeling and atmosphere of the environment shifts massively whenever a sunset occurs. The Landscape goes from being harsh and wild to still and contemplative, even though the only thing that has happened is that the colour scheme has moved from whites and browns to reds and oranges:





(obviously in these images the environments do change, but I could find screenshots of the same environment with and without a sunset.

Colour and Money

The colour red is associated with money in a number of way, some which of which are interestingly contradictory.

For example, in the west, it is bad to be ‘in the red’, as not only does mean you don’t have money, but it also suggests you’ve lost money. Whereas in China, red is synonymous with gaining money, as red envelopes with money in are given or exchanged during many special occasions such as weddings or the new year celebrations.

This suggests that there is no inherent link between money and the colour red, but instead one that is built entirely by cultural association.

Black Cars

In car design, the power, elegance, and mystery of black are leveraged to create the idea of a car that is ‘better than other cars’. Companies like BWM and Mercedes promote black cars as a measure of sophistication and success, and Henry Ford famously said of the Model T, that “a customer can have the car in any colour he wants, so long as its black”. Although originally a sign of wealth, the Model T went on to massively popularise the use of cars, with black Model T’s becoming ubiquitous throughout the early 1900s.

Royal Colours

In the west, the colour purple is associated with royalty and nobility, as purple dye was hard to obtain, and so was only affordable to the rich. The reason for this was that the only purple dye available at the time, Tyrian Purple, could only be obtained from the mucous of a small number of Eastern Mediterranean sea snails

In China, Yellow is traditionally the ‘Imperial colour’, but for historical and mythological reasons, rather than the availability of the dye. The yellow dragon has always been the symbol of the emperor, to the point where the legendary Emperor Huang Di was said to become a yellow dragon when he died. According to tradition, yellow was exclusively worn by the Chinese Imperial family, and a certain points in history it became illegal for anyone outside the royal family to war it, punishable by death.

Physiological effects of colour

Observing the colour red has been shown to increase the bodies respiration rate and blood pressure, whereas blue lowers it. Deep blue can stimulate the pituitary gland which controls the bodies sleep pattern, so can induce more regular and restful sleep cycles.

Yellow stimulates the brain and makes it more alert and decisive, hence why caution signs are often yellow and black. It can even generate muscle energy.

Green is the ‘easiest’ colour to look at, as it doesn’t generate any energy or stimulate the brain, so is associated with relaxation and tranquility.

Orange is used as an appetite stimulant in restaurants, and like red increases respiration and oxygen supply to the brain.