{"id":10863,"date":"2021-05-17T17:11:49","date_gmt":"2021-05-17T17:11:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amb.se\/2021\/05\/17\/du-ser-inte-vad-jag-ser-om-farg-kulorer-och-lite-psykologi\/"},"modified":"2025-12-06T08:11:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-06T08:11:25","slug":"you-do-not-see-what-i-see-about-colors-and-a-little-psychology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amb.se\/en\/2021\/05\/17\/you-do-not-see-what-i-see-about-colors-and-a-little-psychology\/","title":{"rendered":"You don’t see what I see \u2026 about colors and a little psychology"},"content":{"rendered":"
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How is a color defined? Such a seemingly simple question turns out to be very complex. There is thus a great need for a standardized terminology and clear definitions. But then you probably search in vain. There are different approaches, some very old, and what is available is partly contradictory. Here, therefore, only a brief introduction is given to the concept of color and the visual impression of color. And a little curio.<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

You don’t see what I see \u2026<\/span><\/h2>\n

Because we all see differently, it is often difficult to describe a color so that it can be understood exactly by others. Fatigue, the individual eye, age and other physiological factors can affect our perception of color. But even without such physical differences, we interpret color based on personal preferences. Each person therefore also describes the color of an object differently.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

Color or hue or what?<\/span><\/h2>\n

This is where the confusion potentially begins. What exactly is the difference between color and hue? The concepts are mixed well in everyday speech and the word color itself can mean different things.<\/p>\n

What is the difference between color, shade, hue, tint and tone? You can read in the links below but also here<\/a> for guidance.<\/p>\n

A color is a sensory impression caused by light. The impression is conveyed by the eye and the brain interprets it. The visible light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between 380 and 760 nanometers. The perception of color is subjective and is determined not only by the type of incident light radiation but also by the eyes, the sensitivity of the receptors, the sensory system and the interpretation of the brain.<\/p>\n

Other optical perception phenomena such as structure (light and shadow effects), gloss or roughness as well as psychological effects have nothing to do with color.<\/p>\n

There is plenty of literature on the subject and the following links to Wikipedia in different languages \u200b\u200bcan be helpful if you want to start improving. There are also links to the non-fiction. (SV \u2013 F\u00e4rg<\/a>, EN \u2013 Color<\/a>, TY \u2013 Farbe<\/a>).[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

<\/a>Color theory and color systems<\/h2>\n

Attempts to describe the properties, composition and use of colors have been made at least since ancient times. Already Aristotle wrote about the subject and other famous names who dealt with the problem are among many others Newton, Goethe and Leonardo da Vinci. Their various areas of activity in science, philosophy, literature and art give an indication of the complexity when trying to describe what color is and thereby create conditions for communication about color. Even today, color theory is an interdisciplinary area of knowledge.<\/p>\n

Historically, different approaches opposed, and fought against, each other but now increasingly complement each other. This is based on an increasing understanding of research results from physics (electromagnetism and optics), physiology and psychology. These are also complemented by different artistic perceptions. Here, too, there is plenty of literature on the subject as well as interesting reading can be found on Wikipedia, among other places (SV – F\u00e4rgl\u00e4ra,<\/a> EN \u2013 Color theory<\/a>, TY \u2013 Farbenlehre<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Approaches from different areas of knowledge<\/h4>\n
Physics<\/h5>\n

One focus was to examine the physical processes on which the optical laws of color and color phenomena are based. The wavelength-dependent effect of visible light in connection with electromagnetic waves forms the basis for the studies.<\/p>\n

Arts<\/h5>\n

Artists, especially painters, have always tried to understand the phenomenon of color. The focus is on the effect on the viewer and the theories about the interaction between colors.<\/p>\n

Physiology and biology<\/h5>\n

Throughout history, physiologists have tried to explain how stimuli caused by light are received by plants, animals, and humans, how they are transmitted, processed, and then “recognized” in the biological organism. The focus of the research is on the organ systems of humans, animals and plants during and after the reception of light stimuli. Ultraviolet (wavelength below 380 nm) and infrared light (wavelength above 780 nm) are included in the study.<\/p>\n

Psychology<\/h5>\n

Color perception results in physiological and psychological effects on the body and psyche. The latter are examined by psychologists, whose results are practically implemented in color therapy and in interior design.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

Color Systems<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are different types of color systems that classify colors and analyze their effects.<\/p>\n

The American Munsell color system developed by Albert H. Munsell is a well-known classification that organizes different colors based on hue, value (lightness) and chroma (saturation).<\/p>\n

Other important color systems include the Swedish Natural Color System (NCS), the American Optical Society of America’s Uniform Color Space (OSA-UCS) and the Hungarian Coloroid system developed by Antal Nemcsics.<\/p>\n

Through various color systems, attempts have been made to create a system for the description and designation of colors. However, these systems are based on different approaches.<\/p>\n