How the colours of objects and light affect human emotions, performance and health. The need for a holistic approach to design indoor environment.

Authors

  • Giuseppe Barbato University “Luigi Vanvitelli”
  • Laura Bellia University of Naples Federico II, Department of Industrial Engineering
  • Alfonso Morone University of Naples Federico II, Department of Architecture

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23738/CCSJ.110108

Keywords:

Identity, Quality, Visual Context, Indoor Environment, Perception, Properties, Circadian cycle

Abstract

Colours and lights have been shown to influence mood and performance, "cool colours" like blue and green are relaxing and peaceful to the eye, whereas "warm colours" such as red and yellow seem activating and arousing. Cool light, rich in short wavelength radiations, has also a significant effect in terms of circadian rhythm synchronization by inducing melatonin suppression.
For colours to be used in industrial objects, social and cultural factors also play a significant role.
The choice of colours in indoor environments, for both objects and light, should thus be done considering all these aspects. However, these different approaches lead to different points of view and to hardly comparable results. Also, the design process is unique and the final user is not able to distinguish between colour perception, visual and non visual effects of light as well as messages that can be expressed by means of colour patterns.
It appears necessary to establish reciprocal interactions among the different disciplines involved in the choice of objects and light colours, and namely among researchers in medical science, psychology, lighting and industrial design, in order to assess an interdisciplinary methodology that can be applied to indoor design.

Author Biographies

  • Giuseppe Barbato, University “Luigi Vanvitelli”

    Giuseppe Barbato, M.D., Ph.D., Psychiatrist, is full time associate professor at the University of Campania, Luigi Vanvitelli. He has been involved in research addressing the role of photoperiod in regulating human psychophysiological systems and on REM sleep regulation. His current research include analysis of the dopaminergic system and the effects of light on arousal and performance.

  • Laura Bellia, University of Naples Federico II, Department of Industrial Engineering

    Laura Bellia, MSc, PhD is full professor of Lighting and Building Physics at the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. Her research's topics and interests include lighting, daylighting, smart lighting systems and automatic controls, lighting quality, visual comfort, glare, non-visual effects of lighting as circadian effects, LED sources.

  • Alfonso Morone, University of Naples Federico II, Department of Architecture

    Alfonso Morone - Industrial design, Architect, Associate Professor of at the University of Naples Federico II Department of Architecture. His research activity is mainly focused on the cultural relationship between quality and industrial design.

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Published

2019-06-03

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Papers

How to Cite

“How the colours of objects and light affect human emotions, performance and health. The need for a holistic approach to design indoor environment”. (2019) Cultura e Scienza del Colore - Color Culture and Science, 11(01), pp. 67–73. doi:10.23738/CCSJ.110108.