COP3 - Colour considerations

Valid information in regards to colour: 

The validity of the colour white...

Before exploring bright colours there should be a consideration of environment and the purpose it serves in a medical space, therefor it can be considered alongside other colours.

The contrast of white is important in a medical context both to serve as a way of noticing any infection or injury for a patient, as well as considering the most important consideration of colour medically speaking is consistency within a space, using variation of a shade can be be confusing therefore sticking to bold and distinguishable colours if the most appropriate way to bring clarity to a space.

Colours approved and used by the NHS 

NHS Guidelines (Colour and light)

NHS colour and light guidelines go  by these three areas

These areas should be considered when approaching colour

• Circulation
• Care
• General areas

Medical perspective

• Avoid dull colours 
• Using a soft color palette and materials to increase peacefulness”.

• Consider the colours and how they can be applied in a space
• What are the restrictions within using these colours within a style
• Also consider aethetic and the appropriatness of the colours being considered and the meaning 

behind them. 













Although these colours have been approved by the NHS there is evidence to suggest that other colour palettes are valid within exploring such as: 

“Chelsea Children’s Hospital is the latest London hospital to act on the findings of research into the positive effects of art in healthcare environments and the clinical effects of colour.





The main goal of the project’s outcome was to create a much more welcoming, friendly, and colourful space

Using a limited colour allows for more creativity as no one two characters can be the same.

Thomas Matthews states that the concept for the work was born out of research into patient experience in each of the wards.

The most important thing for the project was avoiding kiddy type clichés and give the children something they could relate to without partonising them.

It's worth to note the colour choices of the project as the basis for the positive emotions was able to be created in the work and the choices of colour palettes.


The environment varies the colour palettes but keeps to using 5 colours, making it consistent but also interesting to each section of the environment.

Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court



A conside and use of colour

“colour coded with a pleasing pastel or a primary hue”

In order to be appropriate for a child friendly audience the icons within the environment used a a star, a snowflake, a cloud the outcome was rendered in a loose childlike manner in order for it to be appropriate”

Most if not all the colour choices observed use primary colours or at least shades of tone of such, using bright colours is stimulating as well as visually appealing but also stands out in such an environment that is so plain but also confusing.