USING COLOUR AND PATTERN FOR NEURO-INCLUSIVE WORK ENVIRONMENTS

An estimated 15-20% of the population is thought to be neurodivergent, possessing talents that are often woefully underutilised. Ensuring that the workplace is optimised for this significant sector of the workforce is clearly vital for both business and neurodivergent individuals.

With a focus on workplace interiors, in this blog we explore how careful specification of colour and pattern for workplace interiors can help create more comfortable and productive environments for neurodivergent employees.

SPECIFYING COLOUR WITH NEURODIVERGENT EMPLOYEES IN MIND

 For neuro-inclusive workplace interiors, specifying colours for materials and finishes goes beyond aesthetics and into the realms of accessibility and understanding of spaces.

From colour psychology, we know that colours can resonate with us in particular ways and can even evoke specific emotions. For many of us, bright yellow, for example, can make many of us feel positive and energised, while a dull, murky brown can lower our mood and make us feel sad. When designing neuro-inclusive interiors it is important to be aware that not everybody experiences colour in the same way. 

For people with visual hypersensities, colour can often appear much more vivid.

• Reds, blues and yellows at their full intensity can be distressing for people with autism spectrum disorder.
• Strong or fluorescent colours, positioned at opposite sides of the colour wheel, create a strong chromatic contrast when used together. These can appear with a shimmering or moving effect that causes visual disturbance and disorientation.
• ADHD adults often to struggle with blue/yellow recognition.
• Red/Green combinations can make information inaccessible for those with the most common form of colour blindness which affects 1 in 200 women and as many as 1 in 12 men.

WHICH ARE THE BEST COLOURS TO USE FOR NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE?

Neurodivergent people with autism and other sensory processing disorders, are typically more comfortable in environments with soft, muted colours. Biophilic-based colours derived from nature are usually the most calming and soothing on the senses. These can create a strong sense of well-being helping neurodivergent workers to feel safe and focus on their work more easily.

Spendesk featuring Artistic Liberties - Without Reserve (Carpet) and Change Agent - Rootwork (LVT) 
For people struggling with blue/yellow recognition and for those with colour blindness sensitivities, a cool teal and soft grey palette are a good option to choose.

BP Agora featuring Coastline - Landscape and Seascape
While the majority of neurotypes feel more comfortable with less visual noise or less interaction,  some neurodivergent people have low-contrast sensitivity. In this case, high-stimulation, energising work environments are preferable to bring out their creativity.

Wallace Whittle featuring Lightbox

When specifying colour, providing different zones with variety and choice where possible is key. You can learn more about this in our related blog SPACE PLANNING WORKPLACES FOR NEURODIVERGENT EMPLOYEES

SPECIFYING PATTERN FOR A NEURO-INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE INTERIOR

In the same way that naturalistic colours are more comfortable for neurodivergent people, organic patterns, biomorphic forms and curves found in nature are also less visually disturbing. This is thought to relate to our human evolution and the fact that living in the outdoor landscape is a more natural state for us to be.

National Trust featuring Coastline - Landscape and Landscape Transitions

HOW TO USE PATTERN IN A NEURODIVERSE WORKPLACE

When using pattern in the neuro-inclusive work environment there are some key design rules:

• Keep ‘visual content’ minimised in areas where focus and concentration are required.
• Minimise strong geometric patterns for areas where people with visual hyper-sensitivities are working.
• In a similar way to contrasting colours, repeating geometric forms such as stripes and bars can also give the appearance of shimmering or movement. This can be particularly problematic, and potentially dangerous, in walkways and stairwells.
• Perforated materials such as screening with regular spaced holes can have the same effect.
• As for colour, high contrasting patterns with rich colour can create enticing workspaces for neurodivergent people with low contrast sensitivity. High contrast patterning can also be over-stimulating for some.

Microenvironments offering variety and flexibility with different levels of visual stimulation will allow people to choose their most comfortable work environment.  

For designers looking to achieve the WELL Building Standard, it is also useful to be aware that designing interiors for those with visual hypersensitivities can contribute to its Mind, Movement and Community concepts of the standard.

The reality of inclusive design is in striving to create spaces where everyone can thrive. The colour and pattern considerations highlighted here largely apply to all. However, being aware that people have varying levels of sensitivity can help us create more flexible spaces where everyone can work effectively and autonomously.  

You may also be interested in reading our blog SPECIFYING FLOORING FOR THE NEURO-INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE: 10 POINTS TO CONSIDER