Colour Analysis – The Basis of Good Business Image

The basis of modern professional colour analysis was created by the Swiss painting teacher Johannes Itten in the 20s of the previous century. It all began with an anusual task Itten gave his students. He asked them to create a painting using only those colours that were suitable for them. Then, without hesitation and mistakes he could point out which colours were chosen by certain students. Johannes Itten thought it was to prove that each person has his / her own palette of colours compatible with their appearance.

In his research the Swiss teacher decided to study the science of colours. Finally, he divided colours harmonising with each other according to seasons of the year. It led to the creation of four basic colour types – spring, autumn, summer and winter. Two of those types (summer and winter) are cool types, the remaining two – warm. Modern colour analysis relies on Itten’s experiment.

In Poland professional colour analysis is still rare. It is rather treated as a short supplement to the make-up made by the beautician. But a scrupulous colour analysis lasts about 1,5 – 2 hours and its task is to give useful information for the whole life about which type we are and which colours will ideally stress good points of our appearance. It should be added, though, that advice concerning colours are more and more popular both among women and men, especially dealing with business.

Colour analysis I offer my clients and do during trainings concerning image in business is enriched with the most modern techniques and experiences of other professionals. My analysis takes into consideration two additional mixed types – summer-winter and spring-autumn.

The first step in colour analysis is a conversation with a client. It gives me information about his / her personality, interests, job and age. This information (only seemingly not connected with the analysis) lets me give professional advice concerning the person’s image. But what decides about our type is:

• complexion and reaction of the skin for the sun
• natural hair colour
• eyes colour
• lips colour
• moles and freckles colour

Knowing these facts I can invite the client for the analysis with special daily light and using specifically-matched scarves for colour analysis.

It is worth asking why colour analysis is so crucial for creating business image. The answer is easy. Colour analysis is the awareness of colour, certainty in choosing an individual style and the knowledge of colours suitable for our appearance.

This knowledge is inevitable for choosing professional outfit. But this is the very beginning. The knowledge of our colour type gives us advantage during meetings, negotiations and professional events.

Our style and image decide about the first impression we make on our interlocutor and account for the effect of negotiations or a meeting with a client / business partner.

Professionally active people – tradesmen, managers, consultants – cannot ignore their image and appearance. Knowing our perfect colours we become more self-confident and we look better. Everything that is harmonious arouses peace and trust.