USER PERCEPTIONS OF COLOUR AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

I.  I. Ella, O. Onazi, E. O. Ola-Adisa and O.S. Ugbem

Department of Architecture

University of Jos,Jos

email: olaefeadisa@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Colour as a cognitive artifact draws our attention to the fact that its visual attribute has a profound effect on the viewer’s reasoning and perception of objects, space, persons and environment. Mood swings and extreme motivation can be propelled through appropriate use of colour in various degrees.An artifact such as colour has its roots firmly held to the bedrock of Archaeology, historical events, excavations and has always been a product of both human and spiritual conception. This study seeks to investigate and bring to enlightenment, colour combinations as a means of communication and universal language. The study also dwells on the notion that proper allocation of colours to designed spaces in a well-defined order psychologically impact the viewers with all necessary adjustments needed to benefit maximally from the designed and pigmented living spaces.Colour choice and combination, are the independent variables in this study in relation to size, shapes, position and circulation allowances of designed spaces. Visual communication and psychological impact on viewers and dwellers form the dependent variables.The study lays technical emphasis on how colour affects man’s psycho-visual perception of colour-consideration in institutional buildings while focusing on primary schools within Jos metropolis. Historical reviews also reveal theories of colour effects and its significance on buildings of sundry scales. The study deduces that there is a relationship between objective colour combination concepts and human perception. The study also proposes an alternative to existing concepts and procedures of colour selection by designers and also marketing enhancements.