Event Design: Using Color to Create a Mood

Guide

The Importance of Color at Your Event
How to Use Color to Set the Mood
The Psychology of Color in Design
Color Symbolism & How to Use It
Color Advantages in Marketing & Design
How We Use Color to Polish an Event

Color is an incredible and effective way to set the mood for your corporate event.

In this article, we delve into color psychology and symbolism and how they can combine to elevate an event to new heights.

Whether you’re incorporating a symbolic color to carry a message through your event, using your brand colors at your corporate event, or utilizing color to create a certain ambiance, this article hopes to be a valuable resource in your event design.

The Importance of Color at Your Event

When planning your corporate event, it’s important to take time to consider the event design and the focal point.

We, as humans, rely a lot on first impressions. First impressions at events are equally as important as interpersonal first impressions.

Whether your first impression is wowing staff, clients, or peers from another company, it’s no surprise that the visuals at your event have a lasting impression on your guests.

Color plays into setting the ambience of an event, as well as the wow factor, every bit as much as any other facet of event design. In this article, we’ll explain how and why color is so important in designing your event, how it can set the mood, and how it can be utilized. Let’s dive in.

color choice is important in event design

Using Color to Set the Mood

Color has an amazing ability to affect our moods. So, too, can it set the mood of your event. Using color psychology and theories to set the tone is a great way to nail that first impression, as well as carry the message of your event from start to finish.

For example, in this event, the main colors were blue to symbolize the ocean as well as openness to discuss, and purple tones, to drive home the openness, discussion, and interpersonal communication.

Whether it’s in the lighting, the tablecloths, the decor, or the walls, color can be utilized to set the mood for your event. Here’s a few examples of colors to use for different moods:

To set a celebratory mood, try:

Green
Yellow
Orange

To set a friendly mood, try:

Pink
Blue
Purple

To give guests a feeling of luxuriance, try:

Black
Purple
Gold

To amp up your guests, try:

Red
Silver
Orange

For example, for a corporate anniversary party, bright yellows and rich greens can set the tone of celebration. For a product launch centered around a high-end product, rich purples and jewel tones can make it feel luxurious.

For an exciting grand opening, red, silver, and orange can set the mood.

On the last note, there’s a reason ribbon-cutting ceremonies include red ribbons and red carpets, like you see here. They’re to help get the attendees pumped up!

Event design is 1 part color and 1 part placement

The Psychology of Color in Design

“Color psychology” studies how colors impact one’s mind, mood and behavior. In marketing, it is used to analyze how color affects customers’ perception of a brand.

For decades, big box stores have used results such as these to create an atmosphere in which the customer feels so comfortable and unrushed that they stay longer than they’d planned to. The theory being, the longer a customer shops, the more they buy. Everything is fine tuned from the temperature within the space to the type of music being piped in and the volume at which it plays.

It stands to reason then that color palettes are crucial to a positive shopping experience. Colors of everything from walls and floor covering to a brand’s packaging are chosen carefully and strategically.

Color in home decor, too, can have an affect on our mood. For example, starting your day in a yellow room can energize you, while ending it in a blue room can leave you feeling relaxed. In event design, it’s exceptionally important to utilize color to set the tone for an event. By using invigorating colors like red, yellow, and orange, you can pump your guests up for the event; using blue or pink can create a feeling of relaxation and friendliness.

Color Symbolism & How to Use It

Have you heard that owners of red cars endure traffic stops far more often? In cosmetics, most people associate red lipstick with boldness and confidence. Big name fast food chains know the color red also tends to stimulate appetite.

From employee uniforms to company logos and even decor, there are a staggering number of restaurants that use color psychology. For a business to succeed, it’s crucial to choose colors wisely. So, too, for an event to leave a lasting impression, is it important to choose colors that drive home the goal of your event.

Color symbolism can come into play with decor in many ways, from the drapes, to the lighting, to the decor. An event with pink lighting, soft pink tablecloths, and pink floral arrangements can create a feeling of tenderness and fondness and create an inviting, warm atmosphere. Meanwhile, an event with deep purple drapes, jewel toned decor, and pops of gold can make it even more opulent.

So too can color have an effect on our settings. Warm tones make a venue feel cozy and homey; cool tones make it feel open and invigorating. Event production companies use lighting and music to set the tone for an event, using the venue as a part of that method. Choosing to make a venue cozy can symbolize your guests bonding and growing closer, and having an open, light venue can give a sense of energy as well as luxury.

holiday party with gold and red colors in the design

Color Advantages in Marketing & Design

If you were to ask people what they feel is the most important aspect of marketing and design when it comes to,

Getting noticed
Gaining clients
Retaining clients

you’ll likely be told a catchy phrase or snappy slogan is the most crucial element. Some examples are, “No one better lay a finger on my […]” or “Leggo my […].”

When it comes to commerce, the public has many options from which to choose. The first impression is vital in capturing a customer’s attention. This is where choosing a color palette for one’s brand is so important.

Many companies and brands build their image around a color, to make themselves recognizable. Think about what the brand is selling and which colors are associated with that. If a company is selling super, snazzy bottled water, a color palette mimicking water in nature with varying shades of blue is a good choice for brand representation.

When shopping for bottled water, the subconscious will notice the brand it thinks best represents “water.” So, too, can color psychology come to play in more subtle ways. Choosing black symbolizes luxury and strength, while choosing red means boldness, and white means modernity.

Your company has chosen its brand colors to be recognizable, as well as to symbolize their purpose. Whether it’s a calm blue scheme symbolizing their dedication to building connections as a technology company, or an invigorating orange palette for a leading medical provider whose staff is always at the ready to help, much thought is always put into branding. Bringing your brand colors into an event (especially a brand activation event!) is a great way to stand out, make it your own, and leave an impression on clients and peers, or foster a sense of unity among staff.

red and white used in event design for a branded event

Using Colors in Event Design

As you can see, color is important not only in marketing, but event design as well. Using color psychology, one can set the mood for an event and create an ambience that drives home your company’s goals, message, and purpose.

Here at Event Solutions, our event planners are experts in event design, custom event fabrication, and creating that ambience that will elevate your event to new heights.

If you’re looking to get started setting the scene at your next corporate event, our planners are at the ready to help. Contact them directly at 1.800.366.0603 or fill out the form below to get started.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our event gallery. No matter the event or color scheme, we have a solution for you.

Event Design: Using Color to Create a Mood

Guide

The Importance of Color at Your Event

Using Color to Set the Mood

To set a celebratory mood, try:

To set a friendly mood, try:

To give guests a feeling of luxuriance, try:

To amp up your guests, try:

The Psychology of Color in Design

Color Symbolism & How to Use It

Color Advantages in Marketing & Design

Using Colors in Event Design

Contact Our Event Designers

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Creating a Focal Point at Events: A Complete Guide

Event Design: Using Color to Create a Mood

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