A colorful world and a colorful life are often associated with happiness, but why is it that when we say, "it was a colorless day," our minds immediately conjure a negative image?
Notice that I didn't even specify which color was missing, yet the absence of color is automatically coded as something negative. Colors occupy a far greater space in our lives than we realize. Across dierent cultures, colors carry various meanings— some universal, others unique.
As a professional floral designer and digital creator, colors hold great significance in my work.
However, today, instead of delving into the mathematical science of colors, I want to talk about their place in everyday life. I will also share some of the visuals l've captured, how I bring them together, and how harmonious colors make the collages visually appealing.
These works reflect my style and my perspective on the world.
If we couldn't see, would the leaves on trees still change their colors? Would apples blush red, or would nature turn green? Like our other four sensory organs, our eyes help us experience and perceive the world Stimulated by external factors, they influence our mood and how we interpret life.
As a florist, we live the year divided into specific seasons defined by flowers and their colors.
January is calm and quiet, while February becomes drenched in red for Valentine's Day. Red is the color of love; after all, no one wants to give their lover a blue rose. Red is also the color of fire, symbolizing danger.
That's why exit signs and warning labels are often red But is red always dangerous? After all, red is the color of blood but also the most common choice for roses symbolizing love. It represents passion, fire, courage, and even desire.
Summer is blue—it is the sea and the open sky. It is yellow—the warm, radiant sun. This is how
we perceive life and seasons through colors. Summer bursts with lively and vibrant hues, and
our moods follow. As autumn approaches, the world is filled with shades of burgundy, brown,
and magenta. As florists, we receive requests such as, “Fall colors, please.” The deep, rich
hues of fall symbolize introspection and the cold that winter brings, reflecting our retreat
indoors. Deep greens and browns give the impression of gathering firewood to prepare for
the cold ahead.
However, even as I write this, you may associate darkness with negativity, but I want to
challenge that notion. Dark colors can also be vibrant and appealing to the eye. They have the
power to make the world feel enjoyable because that’s what colors do. With the arrival of
pumpkin season, shades of orange dominate, and as Christmas approaches, green, white, and
red take over. Sometimes, even outside the Christmas season, if I design a floral arrangement
using only red, white, and green, someone might comment, “This feels too Christmassy; let’s
add another color.” Placing just three colors side by side has the power to transform
perception to such an extent.
Returning to the flow of life, many banks use blue to convey trust, while many fast-food
chains use shades of yellow, orange, and red to stimulate appetite. Dyeing your hair green is
considered radical, giving an impression of your personality at first glance. A wedding dress is
white, symbolizing purity or a fresh beginning. While colors are essentially a refraction of
light, they evoke so much more.
To beautify your own world, the colors of your home and wardrobe have a significant impact.
For brands, colors are essential to the point of becoming an identity. For instance, Tiany’s
blue has become a signature element, defining the brand itself. Summer's bronzed glow, the
beauty of a white dress on sun-kissed skin, the setting sun, and lush greens all fill us with joy,
just like in the visual below.
As a designer, colors are one of my greatest tools for creating my artistic style. While aiming
to build a style that emphasizes joy, positivity, and delight, I see the world this way and bring
it together accordingly. The combination of all the colors I use has the power to create a
shining, vibrant vibe that reflects how I feel. What are the colors in your personal style? I’ve
shared some of my work, my perspective on life, and the strength and beauty of colors in
their various combinations. Instead of going for the easiest and most obvious choices, how
about experimenting a little and embracing more vibrant options?
author: Irem Ay
