The Psychology of Color in Your Presentation

Red should be handled with care. Red is one of the most influential colors in your software palette -- but it also carries negative cultural attachments, so use it carefully. Red is also a great color for conveying passion. Or talking about the competition. Do not use Red in financial information or tables and charts.

Green stimulates interaction. It's a friendly color that's great for warmth and emotion. Green is commonly used for trainers, educators, and others whose presentations are intended to generate discussion. It’s also a great color for environmental and earth-oriented discussions.

Purple is often associated with royalty and wealth.  Purple also represents wisdom and spirituality.  Purple does not often occur in nature, it can sometimes appear exotic or artificial.  Nearly all the clients who come to me with presentations featuring purple or lavendar….are women.  It’s a feminine color….and it’s a good color for emotional or spiritual presentations.

Blue is one of the most common background colors. It's calming and conservative, which is why it's very popular with business presenters, as well as for for trainers. Studies have shown that blue has the power to slow our breathing and pulse rates.

Don't forget your basic black. Often overlooked, black is a background color with useful psychological undertones. Its neutrality makes it a good backdrop for financial information. Black connotes finality and also works well as a transitional color which is why the fade to black transition is powerful, as it gives the impression of starting fresh.

We perceive dark colors as being "heavier" than light ones, so graphic elements that are arranged from darkest to lightest are the easiest for the eyes to scan. On charts, it's best to arrange colors from dark to light.