A Designer’s Commentary:

“Designing with color isn’t merely a question of matching patterns and hues. Color is a uniquely powerful design element. Using the right colors for your interior design project can influence certain emotions, moods, even physical feelings. People respond strongly to color. Although the psychology of color isn’t an exact science, designers understand the impact of colors and rely on them everyday to create positive, uplifting environments.” -
Kris Naumann, CAI Project Designer

Color Theory

In the physical plane color is the result of light hitting an object. the color we see is the frequency of light that is reflected off an object as light strikes it .

Colors that we are able to see form the visible spectrum .
The easiest way to become aware of the full spectrum in pure colored light is to take an old cd (aol cds work well) and hold it in light while watching the play of rainbow color across it.

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The Healing Use of Light and Color

The belief in light and color therapy as a method for healing is not new. Prior to the advent of drugs, doctors utilized the healing properties of the sun to improve health, both physically and psychologically.

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Color in Acute Healthcare

Did you ever wonder why surgical scrubs are predominantly khaki green? I've seen a few in blue and pink, but the majority is one or the other shade of khaki green. It seems that at the turn of the century, before the invention of the electric light bulb, surgeries were often performed in basement rooms with walls covered completely in white tile. There were clerestory windows at the ground level just outside of the surgery room where the morning light would shine in, hit the white tiled walls and bounce all over the room, illuminating the space enough for the surgeon to see successfully in his endeavor. However, on the sunniest days the natural light would be so bright that it would create a blinding glare that shined directly into the surgeon's eyes. As it was unusual in the early days of mass-produced textiles to find any garment that was dyed a shade other than black, brown, or khaki, khaki it was.

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