As we consider new opportunities for the future workplace, we reflect on what we want to take with us—and what we want to leave behind. The workplace is an opportunity to create relevant spaces for connections, interaction, and diversity. In the following, we explore the future of the workplace and how it impacts people in a unique way. Specifically, we explore how color theory inspires social connections, creative thinking, and innovative solutions. What inspires us in this new season?
Color Theory – A Combination of Art and Science
Color can be associated with culture, symbolism, personality, emotions, behavior, and mood. While ideas about color may be subjective, there is science behind color theory. The first color wheel was mapped by Isaac Newton in the 17th century after experiments with sunlight and prisms. He theorized that there are three primary colors from which all other colors are derived. By charting color on a wheel, the equally dispersed rays of primary colors can blend to create more colors in between any two colors.
The color wheel represents a spectrum in a closed 2D circle with 12 different colors equally distributed in rays that meet in the middle of the circle. Primary rays (YELLOW, RED, BLUE) form a triangle, equally distributed (below).
Secondary and Tertiary colors are blends of the primary colors, completing the color wheel (below).
Evoke Positive and Productive People
Using color theory, we begin to look at the parallel story between the art and science in workplace design. What better way to look at work than through the beauty of sunlight and prisms! Workplace strategy is developed in association to a company’s culture, symbolism, and personality. The rules of colors and combinations can be applied to workplace design and provide a full spectrum of options, each having an important impact on people and their perceptions. Some perceptions are influenced by culture, while others are universal.
Like the spectrum of color, workplace designers utilize a range of functional and creative combinations and solutions for each client to meet their unique needs. The combination that is selected creates a spectrum that is exclusively theirs. The best model integrates a spectrum of options in an advanced hybrid solution that meets both business goals and individual needs.
Work Mode Parameters – Combinations for Harmony
Research from neuroscience, behavioral, and organizational psychologists has created a framework of work modalities, which identify six categories based on task differences that lead to different space needs:
- Hard Focus
- Soft Focus
- Collaborate
- Socialize
- Learn
- Rejuvenate
Taking a closer look, we see how the color wheel spectrum can be applied to different workspaces and work modalities.
Primary colors are RED, YELLOW and BLUE. In the workplace, it’s a heads-down workspace, such as a focus room or workstation or home office
Secondary Colors are made when two PRIMARY colors are blended ORANGE, GREEN and PURPLE. In the workplace, it’s a space where small groups meet, such as a huddle space or impromptu collaboration area with markerboard.
Tertiary Colors are made when a primary color is mixed with a secondary color. They are RED-ORANGE, YELLOW-ORANGE, YELLOW-GREEN, BLUE-GREEN, BLUE-VIOLET, RED-VIOLET. In the workplace, it’s a conference room or staff lounge or a meeting room with technology for BYOD.
Complementary Colors are two colors on opposite sides of the color wheel. High contrast and high impact. In the workplace, it’s a Primary and Tertiary type spaces.
Monochromatic Colors are shades, tones, or tints that are the same color but vary in intensity being either more saturated and intense or lighter and less saturated. In the workplace, they represent different variations of the same type of space.
Spectrum – Beyond the Physical Office
Workplace design is constantly evolving as work styles evolve. The workplace has become non-binary, where we no longer work only from home or only in the office. It is a fluid environment that is flexible and accessible to someone working from home, the office—or just about anywhere.
This new workplace requires an increased awareness and understanding of the full spectrum of work styles and requires improved technology to support the pace of change and productivity. The right combination of corresponding work types will look different for each client based on variations of needs.
As designers collaborating with clients, we have a responsibility to create spaces that are inspiring and achieve the best results for each organization. The best combination for workplace harmony is equity—through a hybrid model, agility, mobility, and accessible technology.
To address this, a full spectrum of options and parameters for the best combination needs to be carefully considered. The color wheel can help guide workplace design. Using the general rules that apply to the color wheel in abstract, a balanced, full-spectrum work environment can be created. By integrating the research and color theory behind work modalities, we can design places where people do their best work.
Our future looks bright.