Just as in the fashion and textile industry, color and design are just as important in the entertainment that we choose. This article looks at how and why color and design matter in entertainment and the types of entertainment where these aspects are critical for engagement and ongoing interest from players, such as online casinos and mobile gaming, and other forms of interactive entertainment.
Color psychology and the color wheel
The color wheel is all about the harmony and contrast between various colors, and it is at the heart of color theory and color psychology, which explains how people react to color and design.
Contrasting colors, warm colors, and complimentary colors have been proven to increase interactivity and immersion and as such they are used a lot more than the neutral, muted, and pastel colors in online gaming and entertainment environments.
There are certain complementary colors commonly used together and a range of known colors proven to affect mood and one’s behavior. Games designers and Dev ops designers are thus mandated to know the best colors for the various products and items they produce. Color psychology principles can be used to determine the exact range of colors that will create increased immersion and how to affect the design to use these color’s to the best effect to draw in the viewer, audience, and gamer.
Examples of color in entertainment
The online casino:- This is a great representation of how color and design have been used to promote and encourage play. The slot games and table games found at AU casinos for example all have a similar contrasting color scheme as well as the warmer colors. Very few neutral colors are used, and cylindrical shapes and the repetition of shapes and patterns are all aspects that create movement and are inviting to players.
Websites and colors for calls to action:- A website may have the most neutral of color palates, and yet it is common to see call-to-action buttons or the “contact us” and “order now” buttons in orange, yellow, green, or red. It’s the colors proven to motivate and encourage action.
The metaverse:-This is arguably going to be the biggest experiment in color and immersive entertainment that there has ever been. Entire worlds are being designed and created to provide the user or avatar with a real-world experience in a virtual environment, and all these worlds need the right colors, textures, and feel to ensure that they are well used and enjoyed.
The art of design and the use of color is a major part of our entertainment and the modern world that we live in. Whether you are engaging in the games themselves or in the design and conceptualization of gaming environments and entertainment, you will do well to keep this in mind.
The entertainment that we are all spending our time accessing and enjoying in the online space is determined predominantly by how it makes us feel, and the colors and design used are primary in this regard.
