interiors


Colours that enhance pupils’ learning experience and create stimulating spaces


T


HE use of colour when designing educational spaces can have a great impact on learning, health and


wellbeing for students and staff, explains Kayleigh Whybrow, Senior Technical Colour Consultant at Johnstone’s Trade Carefully considered design schemes


play a huge part in creating engaging surroundings. Studies show an intrinsic link between colour and emotion, with certain hues triggering how we respond and interact with our environments. In educational spaces, different colours can influence attention span, mood and productivity. Research has revealed that well designed classrooms can increase learning progress in primary school pupils by as much as 16 per cent. It is key to understand which colours


stimulate different age groups and how, so that we can create classrooms, lecture theatres and study spaces that help students get the most from their education.


Choosing the right colour scheme Colour affects learning behaviour differently as we age, so for each age group colour preference will vary. At a


younger learning age, fun and engaging colours help stimulate children and boost creativity. Warm palettes including shades like orange, red and yellow are seen as motivating hues to have in the classroom. Yellow can positively influence moods, whereas red prompts courage and conversation. However, if too bold or bright, a design can be distracting and overstimulate children, so finding the right balance is essential. Older learners have different


requirements for their learning environment. These students respond better to cooler colour palettes with blue, green and mauve tones. Colours can still be fun, but should create more depth and maturity to nurture a peaceful, focused study space. This can reduce stress, encourage productivity and even help overcome behavioural problems in students. While early education requires more


vibrant designs, further education demands spaces for focus where students can tackle complex learning. By taking advantage of the human relationship with colour, it’s possible to transform educational design into something that has a positive influence over the way individuals learn at every stage.


Balancing durability with design Colour is hugely influential in education spaces, but upkeep needs to be practical. Areas with high footfall are very susceptible to wear and tear, so design must be durable and long-lasting. Ideally, educational institutions need quality learning spaces without the high costs associated with touch-ups and redesigns, which can lead to plain, white walls featuring prominently in design. Bringing colour into educational spaces doesn’t need to be on a huge scale though. Using


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brighter zones to complement toned down spaces can be cost-effective and impactful but with minimum maintenance. Paints that have been developed with


durability in mind will reduce maintenance cycles without sacrificing design. Our Cleanable Matt paint, for example, contains technology that prevents stains from setting into a wall surface and can be easily washed off using warm, soapy water. This means wall finishes are better protected against bumps and scuffs that happen day-to-day in classrooms, canteens and corridors. As a Colour Consultant for Johnstone’s


Trade, I’ve worked with many schools to bring eye-catching designs that use colour to create impactful and durable spaces. One such example is Hyde Community College in Tameside. With over 1,000 students, maintenance is key – but the team were keen not to make sacrifices in the design. The design used a careful combination of zoning with neutral and bold colours to create stimulating spaces that complement learning as opposed to disrupting it. By using over 3,000 litres of Acrylic Durable Matt paint in the design, we were able to ensure easy and cost-effective maintenance was achievable. A wealth of research worldwide


highlights the importance of colour and demonstrates the relationship humans have with different shades. By understanding how different groups of individuals are triggered by colour, designers can take advantage of this relationship and use it to create truly inspiring education spaces that positively impact the students who occupy them.


www. johnstonestrade.com


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