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John Deere tractors are painted green - so are encoders produced by Gurley Precision,
rental equipment from Sunbelt, and metering pumps from Pulsafeeder. Many manufacturers
report that they sell more products when they are painted green. Why? How could
this trend impact the Internet Design Industry?
Green has a long symbolic history. In Celtic myths, the Green Man was the god
of fertility. Green was a sacred color in Egyptian culture, representing hope
and the joy of Spring. In the 15th century, green was the color of choice for
wedding gowns because of its symbolic ties to purity and virginity.
Green has a significant psychological impact on the human mind. It is the most
soothing color to the eye and can aid in the healing process. Studies have found
that people who work in green environments have fewer stomach problems. Teething
infants find comfort in green surroundings. When London's Blackfriar Bridge
was painted green, reported suicides dropped by 34%.
The fact of the matter is that our natural environment, when it has not been
polluted, is saturated with the color green. Green makes things appear natural,
fresh, and ecologically beneficial.
When equipment is painted green in an industrial environment, the illusion
of safety and normalcy is fostered. People in this unnatural environment tend
to have the sense that things around them are clean and that their personal
health is not at risk.
The psychological impact of the color green can be applied to advertising,
corporate identity, and electronic media.
At the time of this writing, the vast majority of industrial Web sites are
designed in shades of gray, blue, and brown. This is partly due to the fact
that the featured products are also those colors. Industrial manufacturers trying
to boost their revenue through Internet sales and marketing may find that implementing
green in their Web sites could be helpful.
If your potential e-business customer is sitting in an an unnatural environment,
whether an office cubicle or on an assembly line, give them something soothing
to look at. Why not use some green in your design?
About the Author:
Jake Gorst is a writer, fiml maker, and president of Exploded View (http://www.explodedview.tv),
a new media advertising and design company. He also is a frequent contributor
to various trade publications on topics related to Web site and architectural
design psychology and trends. Previously, Gorst served as Vice President and
Chief Creative Officer for E-Media Publishing, Ltd. and as an Internet content
developer for Citibank and other Long Island based corporations. |
