Tim Moore
Managing Director
- Loves: Snow & Mountains, Noisy Music, West Ham United & Jelly Babies
- Hates: The Circle Line, Tea, Dishonesty
- Inspired by:
- My granny
- Ordinary people doing extraordinary things
- Apple product design
- My links:
Colour Blind
My random musing of today's commute centered on what can you tell about a persons character traits from their favourite colour?
Do we really conform to popular stereotypes? Do fiery, passionate, hot-headed people like red? Do calm, nature lovers like green? If you have a bright and sunny disposition, is yellow the only way to go? What about the more flamboyant people – pink perhaps? What does black say these days, I’ve lost touch. Is it cool or has it reverted to dark and brooding?
Research in the office was required...
It started well. Our Creative Director, Gus, likes pink. Of course he does. So does Marketing Manager Clare but then she’s a girl. Plus there IS a more flamboyant side to Clare, but it only usually comes out after a few drinks.
What about tech head Darren, who famously and spectacularly crashed his go-kart at a work do, causing both him an overnight stay in hospital. What colour would a speed demon like him choose? "Orange" he grins. Yes! He shoots, he scores!
But then designer Jamie, who is a solid, dependable and very likeable chap, spoilt everything by stating he liked red! The theory was wrong - there's nothing very fiery or passionate Jamie. He's calm and considered in everything he does. But then, just I lost interest and turned to trawl through my email, a confession! He said red just because Liverpool are his favourite team, he really he likes brown. Back on track!
I tried to prove my point further. I spotted Linda walking in: smiley, bright, and delightful. I confidently whispered to colleagues nearby that she has to be a yellow. Just has to be. "Linda, what’s your favourite colour", I yelled. "Blue!" came the reply. Dammit!
And then the wheels came off. Steve, Jah, Ben, Andy – all wrong. My statistically irrelevant research had revealed that there is in fact no correlation between ones personality traits and favourite colour.
As all marketers should know, its very risky business drawing too many conclusions about peoples preferences based on too few clues. We are all wonderfully unpredictable in our choices, and that's just as it should be. How boring life would be without surprise.
By the way, I like aquamarine. Does that mean I'm mixed up?
Posted by Tim on 15 Feb 08, at 9:37 am
3 comments on this post
I hope you are wrong. My wardrobe is full of grey....
I think grey is great colour and underestimated – its modern, intelligent, solid, and clean. As designers we use it in almost everything we design and when applied well u barely notice it ; )
I like aquamarine too, in fact any colour that can vaguely resemble water on a sunny day - i do not like grey!