Color and culture: How color language changes by background

Color is a multifaceted phenomenon studied across various fields, including physics, psychology, and art, and its interpretation can significantly differ across cultural contexts, impacting the success of products in global markets. Michel Pastoureau highlights this through an example where disposable cameras in different colors succeeded in Europe and the U.S. but failed in Japan due to cultural color preferences. The text also discusses the complexities of color theory in UX design, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural associations and color systems, such as RGB and CMYK, to create effective user experiences. Additionally, it explores the historical and cultural evolution of colors like saffron in India, showing how colors can acquire significant political and cultural meanings. Overall, the text underscores the importance of research and testing in design to accommodate both universal and local color perceptions, acknowledging the joy and subjectivity inherent in color interpretation.