Scientists have conducted research to find out what color is most unpleasant to the human eye. In the future they want to use it to combat bad habit smoke cigarettes.
As the site learned, the ugliest color in the world is called Pantone 448 C. In appearance, it is a tar-brown color that looks quite gloomy and repulsive. According to scientists, people immediately associate this shade with dirt and death, and cause disgust, nausea and vomiting. Finding this color took three months of research and detailed tests on experimental subjects.
As it turned out, this shade was chosen for a reason. They intend to use it to combat smoking, and to force manufacturers to completely color all cigarette packs in this color. According to experts, such measures should significantly reduce people’s desire to buy and smoke cigarettes in such packages.
According to the site, the GfK agency was responsible for research into the search for the ugliest color, and the order was received directly from the Australian government. Currently, the UK, Ireland, France and Russia have also joined the anti-tobacco initiative. Soon, all tobacco products in these countries will be sold in packs of only Pantone 448 C color with additional warnings about the dangers of smoking.
According to scientists, all of the shades listed below negatively affect both a person’s mood and his lifestyle. What was wrong with bright, rich and such Beautiful colors? Read our article.
And while everyone is entitled to their personal opinion, we think many will agree with the results of a study conducted by Australian scientists that sheds light on the ugliest colors in the world.
A little earlier, a color outsider was revealed: "olive green" color, which was considered so ugly that they decided to use it to design cigarette packs. And all in order to discourage people from bad habits.
I can't say this color is ugly. I've seen pants in a similar shade and they looked great. But when people choose a paint color, they a priori want it to give them joyful emotions in the future. Olive green is more likely to make you feel depressed and lifeless. A real feel-good killer. Heather HumphreyFounding partner of design firm Alder and Tweed
And, of course, olive green is not the only color that becomes “ugly” by taking up too much space in your home. So, what colors are best to avoid when designing the interior of your home?
Dark peach color
Incredibly popular in the 60s of the 20th century, today this color can instantly age the interior of your home. As for the psychology of color, Humphrey says that in small quantities (for example, in home accessories), dark peach is welcome. But when it comes to large spaces decorated with this shade, it becomes overwhelming and depressing for the owner’s mood.
Orange color
Humphrey believes that Orange color causes a “wow!” effect, but not in a positive way. The color is too overwhelming for the walls of the house, and besides, orange stimulates the appetite. Long live a constantly growling stomach!
Dazzling yellow color
Butter yellow is an invigorating and joyful color, but it is too bright... This “lucky color” turns into a real aggressor and makes people feel anxious and restless. When used in large quantities, it becomes so intrusive that it turns into a simply disgusting color.
Orange-red color
Bright colors usually act as “provocateurs” of human emotions; you hardly want to create such a tense atmosphere in your home. And Humphrey notes that the orange-red hue is a combination of two bright colors, from which it is better to stay away when developing a design.
When choosing a paint color for your home, you'll encounter a whole range of shades of brown, which, according to designers and psychologists, "visually warms up a room" or "adds a sense of drama." But the shade, coded Pantone 448C, is too dramatic.
Experiment results
A team of Australian researchers tried to determine the most terrible color in the world, according to the subjects. The experiment, conducted back in 2012 in seven stages, involved 1,000 volunteers. According to them, the shade mentioned, Pantone 448C, is the color " Wastewater", "tar" and even "death". According to researchers, looking at it for a long time can cause instinctive fear, panic and even nausea!
Experts jokingly note that positive quality there is only one thing about it: this brown-gray shade, reminiscent of dirt, can be obtained by mixing all the best and most pleasant colors.
Moreover, this shade is so unpleasant and ugly that some countries began to use it on cigarette boxes - a ploy that was supposed to reduce the number of existing and potential smokers. As time has shown, this experiment can indeed be considered successful.
Colors can evoke many associations, but apparently only one specific shade can “minimize attractiveness” and “maximize perceived harm.” That's right—researchers have identified the world's ugliest color, and it's lovingly described as "dirty," "tarry," and even "deadly," just to name a few associations.
Pantone 448 C, also called "opaque couch," may get a bad rap, but this sewage shade actually has an important mission. From the entire rainbow, experts chose a green-brown shade to discourage smoking. And one look at this sample will convince you of its ability to break habits. It's not for the faint of heart, but here it is:
Disgusting, right? Back in 2012, the Australian government hired research agency GfK to lead new design packaging for all tobacco products. But instead of the usual goal marketing firm, they should have achieved the opposite. Each box had to look as unattractive as possible.
It took three months, seven studies and more than 1,000 regular smokers, but researchers have finally identified the most offensive print color, along with new graphic health warnings. Also on the run? Light green, white, beige, dark gray and mustard. The dark brown came in a second, but its rich (and chocolatey!) hues seemed too appetizing - similar to the "cool" associations of the average olive.
After finding a clear winner (or loser, in this case), the government first declared the shade "olive green." But after an urgent letter from the Australian Olive Association, they changed the nickname to "taupe" - no hard feelings, olives?
Thanks to the dramatic breakthrough of Australia and GfK, other governments are also adopting this shade. Ireland, the UK and France have recently passed their own "plain packaging" laws, with designs that have exactly the same flavor. Perhaps the opaque stock could get a better reputation for all the lives it could save.
[h/t Metro UK