When you’re planning a New York event or conference, you’ll often rely on the needs and preferences of your clients when deciding themes. But you could be offering more insights when you understand how colors can contribute to the success of any event theme. There is science to suggest that certain color patterns and schemes inspire emotional reactions. And you could be tapping into that science to improve your New York event engagement and attendee sentiments. Here's how you can make colors work to your advantage.
What Factors Matter When Event Planning a Color Scheme?
When you’re working with a bride in planning her wedding day, she’ll probably already have colors in mind for you to work with in décor and aesthetics. But every other event you plan, including virtual and corporate events, will usually present an opportunity for you to have some color freedom with your planning. And to make sure you’re choosing the right palate of shades, it’s best to consider a few factors.
- Make sure your colors align well and don’t contradict any brand identities associated with the event.
- There will be times when white spaces are warranted and often encouraged, including on a stage and in small venue spaces.
- Choose colors that complement natural elements within a venue so as not to contradict a space and create inadvertent contrast.
- Know your audience demographics so you can make color choices that speak to their preferences and ambiance.
Remember the Color Wheel from School?
Do you remember, going way back in grade school, when your art teacher introduced you to the color wheel? Even if your memories don’t recall, you’re likely familiar with the circular arrangement of colors, typically organized in their chromatic relationship to each other. It’s kind of like a rainbow wheel with primary colors spaced apart equally, with secondary and tertiary color hues filling in between them. It was created originally by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666 and is comprised of 12 main colors, complemented by shades of warm tones, cool hues, and varying saturation and luminance. You won’t have to be an art teacher to appreciate the color wheel. In fact, every New York event planner should have one on-hand to reference when deciding an event’s color scheme.
Do You Know What Emotions Certain Colors Evoke?
Designing the ambiance and aesthetics for your event means understanding how to create an emotional response from attendees in a favorable way. You can inspire more interest with the right visuals and colors. Combat anxiety and boredom by tapping into the psychological effects of color.
For example, did you know that corporate events where guests are engulfed in lights and colors immediately invokes an enthusiastic response and an excited, emotional reaction?
Did you know that orange is a shade often used to stimulate appetites?
Yellow, in the right doses, can signify happiness. But when it’s overused in a space, it can actually create more anxiety.
Check out some of these colors and their most common emotional responses:
- Red: Love, power, passion, energy OR heat and danger
- Orange: Courage, friendliness, confidence, OR hunger
- Yellow: Happiness, sunshine, warmth, OR anxiety
- Green: Environment and healing OR money, greed, and envy
- Blue: Security, loyalty, tranquility OR fear and cold
- Purple: wealth, luxury, ambition OR moodiness and fickle
- White: Clean, pure, innocent OR isolation and emptiness
What Color Schemes Do You Use Most?
In addition to understanding individual color selections, there are also color schemes and patterns to add to your repertoire. Combining colors in new and innovative ways can transform an event environment in a big way. Here’s what you, as a New York event planner, need to understand about the primary pillar color schemes.
Analogous Color Schemes
This scenario refers to the use of colors that are directly next to each other on that color wheel you have. This assembly of colors provides a “blended” look, like blue, turquoise, and purple hues that naturally flow well together. These color schemes work great when you’re looking to add a “peaceful” or “tranquil” feeling to an event. Corporate events and professional gatherings are great places to incorporate these types of color patterns, too, since they tend to be pleasing to a wide variety of personalities.
Monochromatic Color Schemes
This type of color coordination refers to incorporating various shades of the same primary color. For example, you might have a green base with a cascading series of lighter and darker greens to complement throughout the décor. One-color events are popular since they’re easy to design and tend to have a powerful delivery in terms of emotional aesthetics. Events that would benefit from a simplistic style would be great opportunities for the monochromatic color design.
Triadic Color Schemes
This color coordination scheme involves compiling three main colors that are on opposite sides of your color wheel. It can be a tall order to pull this off well, but when you can, it’s magical for an event. Loud, intense, and powerful color combos are great for celebration events, like New Year’s Eve parties, Mardi Gras-themed events, or over-the-top milestone celebrations.
Split Complementary Color Schemes
Have a sports-themed event to plan? Go split complementary with your color scheme. Color patterns with two opposing color combinations, like blue and orange, are great for powerful or statement-making event themes. Some of the world's most influential brands make smart use of the split complementary color schemes. Be careful, though; complementary colors like red and green can be challenging for those who are color blind.
Event planning for any New York conference or celebration means bringing a deeper level of understanding of creating engaging experiences. And colors can play a significant role in the emotional response attendees have with your event. Keep these insights in mind, and get yourself a color wheel. You’re just as much of an artist as you are an event planner!
For more next-level advice to amp up your event planning business, make sure you get on the waitlist now for The Event Planner Expo 2023!
