The Effects of Warm Versus Cool Color Palettes Within Virtual Reality

Color theory plays a crucial role in design, technology, and art. This study examined how the color groups, warm and cool, affect individuals’ emotional and physiological states as measured using the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and heart rate monitoring. Twenty participants viewed their assigned color simulation for 10 min within a virtual reality (VR) headset. We found a significant decrease in heart rate before, during, and after VR exposure. The interaction between time and the color condition was significant, such that the decrease in heart rate was steeper for those in the cool conditions. There were no statistically significant differences in self-reported positive affect; however, there was a significant decrease in self-reported Negative Affect for both the Warm and Cool groups after the VR exposure. Understanding how colors affect users through the outcomes of this research can help designers and developers make more informed decisions in the domains of UI/UX and front-end application development.