When it comes to analyzing an advertisement, comics, appeal, website, infographic (most of the texts), colors have their say. Below, read a few sample lines that we usually find in Paper 1 Analysis:

The presence of deep red tones evokes a sense of urgency and passion, which persuades the audience to act quickly. Similarly, the contrast between light and dark shades reflects the theme of conflict, good vs. evil and oppression. By using a bright and warm color palette, the text establishes a friendly and inviting tone, appealing to the audience’s emotions. The monochrome scheme emphasizes the seriousness of the subject matter, removing distractions and directing focus to the urgency in the appeal. Besides, the choice of green reinforces environmental consciousness, subtly aligning the product with sustainability and ethical responsibility. 

Similarly:

The juxtaposition of warm and cool tones mirrors the conflicting emotions conveyed in the text, reinforcing its central message. By using bold, saturated colors against a neutral background, the designer ensures that the key message is both eye-catching and memorable. The soft pastel colors evoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort, making the audience feel emotionally connected to the message. The dark tones create an atmosphere of mystery and suspense, engaging the viewer by building intrigue. The bright, energetic colors stimulate excitement, making the product appear more dynamic and appealing to a younger audience. The dull, muted colors may reflect sadness or loss, encouraging the audience to sympathize with the subject.

Now, be more familiar with colors and their meanings:

🔴

• Love & Passion – Romance, desire, strong emotions
• Danger & Warning – Blood, war, aggression, violence
• Power & Authority – Royal robes, political revolutions
• Energy & Action – Urgency, movement, excitement
• Sin & Temptation – Biblical “scarlet woman,” forbidden desire

🔵

• Calm & Serenity – Peace, relaxation, trust
• Sadness & Isolation – “Feeling blue,” loneliness, melancholy
• Wisdom & Intelligence – Knowledge, depth, spirituality
• Coldness & Detachment – Emotional distance, winter, depression
• Divinity & the Heavens – Sky, gods, eternity

🟡

• Happiness & Energy – Sunlight, joy, optimism
• Caution & Warning – Traffic signs, hazardous zones
• Cowardice & Betrayal – “Yellow-bellied” (coward), Judas’ robes in art
• Youth & Playfulness – Lightheartedness, childhood
• Intellect & Creativity – Bright ideas, enlightenment

🟢

• Nature & Life – Growth, renewal, fertility
• Jealousy & Envy – “Green with envy,” greed
• Wealth & Prosperity – Money, abundance
• Poison & Sickness – Toxicity, decay, illness
• Hope & Rebirth – Spring, fresh starts

⚫

• Death & Mourning – Funerals, sorrow, the unknown
• Mystery & Darkness – The unknown, secrets, night
• Power & Authority – Elegance, formality, strength
• Evil & Corruption – Villains, danger, the abyss
• Nothingness & Absence – Void, emptiness, loss

⚪

• Purity & Innocence – Weddings, angels, virtue
• Peace & Simplicity – Tranquility, blank slates, beginnings
• Sterility & Emptiness – Coldness, lifelessness, hospitals
• Divinity & Perfection – Sacredness, holiness
• Surrender & Submission – White flags, yielding

⚪⚫

• Ambiguity & Neutrality – Middle ground, uncertainty
• Sadness & Boredom – Dullness, depression, routine
• Wisdom & Maturity – Old age, experience
• Corruption & Moral Decay – Shadows, moral ambiguity
• Detachment & Isolation – Fog, loneliness, absence of passion

🟣

• Royalty & Luxury – Kings, wealth, status
• Mystery & Magic – Fantasy, supernatural, the unknown
• Spirituality & Enlightenment – Religious significance
• Creativity & Individuality – Uniqueness, artistic expression
• Extravagance & Excess – Overindulgence, decadence

🟠

• Energy & Excitement – Warmth, enthusiasm, movement
• Creativity & Uniqueness – Innovation, eccentricity
• Danger & Attention – High visibility, caution signs
• Autumn & Change – Transformation, the passage of time
• Friendliness & Approachability – Social warmth, hospitality

🌸

• Femininity & Love – Softness, romance, beauty
• Innocence & Youth – Playfulness, childhood
• Sensitivity & Compassion – Warmth, nurturing
• Superficiality & Naivety – Over-simplicity, immaturity
• Artificiality & Fantasy – Unrealistic ideals, exaggeration

🟤

• Earth & Stability – Nature, reliability, groundedness
• Warmth & Comfort – Simplicity, home, familiarity
• Roughness & Hard Work – Manual labor, endurance
• Aging & Decay – Fading, rust, decomposition
• Dullness & Simplicity – Lack of excitement, plainness

Gold 🏅

• Wealth & Luxury – Riches, success, status
• Victory & Achievement – Medals, trophies, excellence
• Sacredness & Divinity – Religious symbolism, the divine
• Greed & Corruption – Desire for wealth, obsession
• Timelessness & Eternity – Unfading, precious, lasting value

Silver 🥈

• Sophistication & Elegance – Prestige, refinement
• Modernity & Futurism – Technology, innovation
• Mysticism & the Moon – Feminine energy, mystery
• Coldness & Distance – Less warmth than gold, sterility
• Speed & Precision – Sleekness, efficiency