I Only Work In Black

I only work in black. And sometimes, very very dark grey. - Batman

Six jackets in my closet five of them are black, one is green, I don’t wear green one.

I’m not blogging about studies or research on the colour black, psychology, or the history of the colour black in marketing and graphic design. This blog is about my love for the “colour” black, and perhaps yours as well. 

I’m writing this blog sitting in a black chair at a black desk, and my black iPhone (matte black phone case) to my right and my black mouse pad to my left. I’m wearing my black t-shirt and a black wristwatch. When I head outdoors later I’ll slip my black wallet into my back pocket, slid on black sunglasses, and lace up my black Pumas while I choose one of those five black jackets (I should give that green one away).

I liked my old black car more than I like my new grey car. I just painted my house black.

As an amateur photographer, I’ve become drawn to black-and-white photography. - see pic below

When I look at black I see everything and nothing at the same time, I love that.

Colours create emotional responses, red - love, yellow - happiness, green - nature, blue - trust, purple - luxury, and brown - trustworthiness. To me, the colour black represents mystery, elegance, power, sophistication, and timelessness.

Black, because of it’s all and nothing nature, can be used to create endless emotional responses. This is why black brings out the best in whatever it surrounds. In design, fashion, and architecture black can be the star or your best-supporting asset.

As designers we know black is the absence of light. And colour is a phenomenon of light. But a black object or black images printed on white paper are made from pigment, not light. For this reeasn artists and designers use the darkest colour of paint or ink to approximate black. On paper or digitally, I continually strive open new doors in design by employing a deeper comprehension of black and white and their relationships to other colours.

When looking at photography, art, or graphic design, your eyes are naturally drawn to the areas with the sharpest edges and highest contrast. Black is the ultimate contrast creator, and you may notice your focus gravitating toward the spot of the sharpest contrast, where black meets that other colour. Contrast adds interest, and black is an ideal colour for achieving contrast.

As a little kid, my favourite colour was purple. I can’t think of a specific reason why, I guess I just liked it. I don’t remember when it went from purple to black, I don’t anticipate finding another favourite.

Any colour - so long as it’s black. - Henry Ford

Does anybody want to buy a grey car? I’m looking for a new black one.