About color harmony (and the Ultracolour system)

The Ultracolour system is a new, highly effective approach to coordinating colors.

No Bad Colors

There is no such thing as a good color or a bad color—there are only appropriate and inappropriate color schemes. What makes a color scheme appropriate? When it generates the desired mood and behavior.

The concept that color effects mood and influences behavior had long been recognized but little understood. However, decades of work by noted color psychologist Angela Wright has created an understanding of how humans react to color—both physically and emotionally. Further, Ms. Wright's work revealed that there are particular characteristics of each color that determine how people react.

Creating Harmony

When these characteristics are similar for all colors in a color scheme it is universally regarded and instinctively recognized as being harmonious. Conversely, the reaction is generally that something is “wrong” when schemes contain colors where these characteristics differ.

Color works in a similar way to music, and, as jazz pianist Thelonius Monk said, “There are no wrong notes” it is how you put them together that matters. Disharmony negates. Harmony pleases.

Ms. Wright's combined findings have led to the development of the Ultracolour system. Using this system, response to color and color combinations can be objectively anticipated, making it possible to identify pleasing, coordinating color combinations and, perhaps more important, avoid disharmonious, clashing combinations.

The Color-Helper uses the Ultracolour system to make color suggestions and recommendations.