There’s a direct link between the use of colour (or color for my US readers), and creative thinking. If you could see the explosion of colour in my studio, you’d know I’m a big believer in this.

It’s hard to think in colour, when your world has the brightness turned down. Yet as adults, many non-creative people surround themselves with a very limited range of colours. Their homes, furniture, offices and clothes are toned down to the point where they almost blend into the background.

Here’s the thing: As scientific studies have found, colours can have a measurable impact on how we feel and how we think.

Children, colour and creativity

Have you ever noticed how colourful kids stuff is? Pretty-much everything they use is extremely colourful. From their toys and cutlery to their books, clothing, bedding and toiletries, everything is bright and pumped full of colour. These colours help keep children engaged, interested and it stimulates their mind.

The good news for us as adults, is that colour can be deliberately used to stimulate your mind, too.

Introducing colour to your creativity

Now, whilst I am not suggesting you start dressing in technicolor, unless you want to, I am suggesting you introduce as much colour into your creativity as possible.

Pens I’m using in the studio today.

For example.

• Use multicoloured pens and pencils when you think on paper.
• If you do a lot of your thinking in your office, have some really colourful desk items around you. Highlighters, pen holders, Post-it notes, your phone charger, writing pads and your coffee mug, etc., these all come in a multitude of creativity inspiring colours.
• Put some bright, colourful pictures or posters on your office or studio wall.
• … You get the idea.

The blue secret

Will the introduction of all this colour instantly turn you into a creative thinking powerhouse? No. No they won’t. But colours do have an impact.

For instance, blue has been shown to help with creative thinking. It’s believed this happens, because we associate the colour blue with relaxation, cloud-free skies and cool blue water. I use blue here on this site for links and certain buttons. They perform very well.

Here’s a suggestion. Start small. Get yourself some different coloured pens or pencils and use them, the next time you are developing ideas. Use bright coloured highlighters to mark-up your work. When you see the difference this makes, it may inspire you to introduce more colour to your creative thinking universe.