Inside Out 2 : What New Emotions and Colors Reveal About Human Psychology

The original Inside Out was a revolutionary animated film that delved into the human mind, portraying emotions as distinct characters, each with its own color. The 2024 sequel, Inside Out 2, builds upon this concept, expanding the emotional palette and introducing new characters and feelings. These films not only entertain but also teach us valuable lessons about human psychology and the role color plays in storytelling.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the psychology behind the colors in both Inside Out movies, how these colors influence our emotional understanding, and the branding lessons Pixar’s clever use of color can offer to businesses and marketers alike.

New Perspectives in Inside Out 2

Introducing New Emotions and Their Colors

In Inside Out 2, Pixar expands the emotional range with new characters and their corresponding colors. These fresh emotions contribute to a more intricate portrayal of human psychological complexity. For example, if a new emotion like “Envy” were introduced, we might expect to see a color that symbolizes jealousy or comparison, perhaps a greenish hue, building on the symbolism established by Disgust’s color in the original film. Envy, like Disgust, could be connected to the feelings of judgment and self-worth, and using a similar color would create a strong emotional continuity in the narrative.

These new emotions are crucial in developing a more multifaceted view of human psychology, especially in the context of growing up and dealing with more complex emotional experiences. As viewers, we can explore how different emotional colors interact with one another, forming a new tapestry of feelings that deepen our understanding of the characters and their psychological journeys.

Expanding the Emotional Palette

The sequel takes the emotional palette introduced in the first film and builds upon it, adding new hues to reflect the evolution of the characters. For example, Joy, who was once the primary emotion guiding Riley’s actions, may now have a more nuanced relationship with other emotions, evolving into a more balanced and complex character. By incorporating new emotions and colors, Inside Out 2 gives the audience a broader understanding of how human emotions interact and influence one another.

Just as colors are used in branding to communicate shifts in a company’s identity, Inside Out 2 shows how evolving color schemes in storytelling mirror personal growth and change. The colors and emotions in the sequel serve as a visual metaphor for the maturation of the characters and the growing complexity of their feelings. If you’re interested to know more on colors and formats, you can learn more about the differences between RAW, Log, and Rec. 709 color spaces here. 

The Impact of Color on Emotional Engagement

How Colors Shape Audience Connection

In both Inside Out and Inside Out 2, the choice of color is not just an aesthetic decision; it plays a pivotal role in shaping the emotional connection viewers have with the characters. By assigning distinct colors to emotions, Pixar enables the audience to quickly understand each character’s role and psychological state. This approach creates a more intuitive, visceral connection to the story. Viewers don’t need to be told that Joy represents happiness, or that Anger embodies frustration—these emotions are immediately recognizable because of their colors.

The emotional power of color in film isn’t just about evoking feelings in the audience; it’s also about how colors can drive deeper engagement. For example, the cool blue of Sadness is not only calming but also evokes a sense of empathy. We may not always understand why Sadness feels the way she does, but the color blue helps us feel her melancholy on a subconscious level. This immediate emotional response is a powerful tool for filmmakers and marketers alike.

This concept of emotional connection through color is something that brands can use to their advantage. For instance, color psychology in branding helps businesses influence consumer decisions, increase brand recognition, and foster deeper emotional connections with their audiences. Colors used in logos, advertisements, and websites can elicit specific emotional reactions, from trust (blue) to excitement (red) or relaxation (green).

The Role of Color in Brand Identity

The relationship between color and emotion is especially significant in the world of branding, where companies strive to build strong, recognizable identities that resonate with their target audiences. Much like Pixar’s use of color to represent emotions, brands use color to evoke specific feelings and establish connections with consumers.

For example, blue is frequently used by tech companies and financial institutions because it evokes trust, security, and professionalism—traits that are essential in those industries. Similarly, green is used by eco-friendly brands to signify sustainability and environmental consciousness. The same principles Pixar uses in Inside Out to convey emotions can be applied in branding strategies to make a company more appealing and memorable.

A great example of this is the library of LUT color grading presets offered by Pixflow. These presets allow filmmakers to manipulate the emotional tone of their visuals by adjusting the color scheme, creating a specific mood or atmosphere. Just as Pixar uses color to drive emotional engagement, filmmakers and content creators can use tools like Colorify to elevate their videos and align their color choices with the desired emotional tone, enhancing the audience’s connection to the content.

Color Choices in Marketing and Advertising

The impact of color extends beyond film and branding; it’s a crucial factor in marketing and advertising strategies. Whether it’s a product, a service, or an emotional appeal, the right color can influence the audience’s perception and drive purchasing behavior.

Take, for example, the way fast food chains use red in their logos. The color red has been shown to increase appetite and create a sense of urgency, prompting customers to take action. Similarly, companies in the beauty and health industries often use soft, pastel colors to evoke feelings of calm and well-being. In the same way, Pixar’s use of color creates a subconscious emotional framework for the audience, marketers can carefully choose color schemes to drive consumer engagement and action.

The powerful connection between color and emotion is not just theory; it’s backed by research. In fact, studies show that 85% of consumers make decisions based on color, with color playing a role in up to 60-80% of brand recognition. Understanding the psychological impact of color can help brands create marketing materials that resonate deeply with their target audiences, just as Pixar’s Inside Out uses color to enhance emotional storytelling. If you’re interested in how modern filmmakers achieve similar effects, check out this deep dive into Rec. 709 color space, which explains how industry-standard grading techniques enhance cinematic storytelling.

The Bigger Picture and Why This Matters

Understanding Human Complexity Through Art

Pixar’s Inside Out and its sequel offer more than just a visual spectacle—they remind us that emotions are complex, multifaceted, and often interconnected. The way the film explores emotions like joy, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust shows us that human feelings don’t exist in isolation. Each emotion has its own personality, but they are often intertwined and influence each other. This narrative mirrors the reality of our emotional landscapes, where we experience multiple feelings at once, often in surprising combinations.

Just as Pixar uses colors to express these emotions visually, art—whether through film, design, or other mediums—allows us to process and reflect on the nuances of our own emotional experiences. This storytelling technique doesn’t just entertain; it helps viewers understand the depth and breadth of their feelings, making it easier to navigate complex emotional states. By using colors and visual cues to represent emotions, Pixar creates an emotional bridge, inviting viewers to explore and reflect on their own inner worlds. The emotional power of color isn’t confined to the screen; it’s something that resonates with us in the real world too.

This concept of emotional complexity can be extended to branding and creative work. Just as Pixar uses art to help people make sense of their feelings, designers and marketers can use colors to tap into the emotional states of their audience, fostering a deeper understanding and connection. The power of visual storytelling is not only in creating narratives—it’s also in its ability to help people process and engage with the emotions that shape their lives.

Inspiring Creatives and Marketers

Pixar’s mastery of color and emotion offers valuable lessons for creatives and marketers alike. The studio shows us how intentional design choices, such as color palettes, can evoke powerful emotions and forge connections with an audience. As you embark on your own creative journey, consider how you can experiment with color to amplify the emotional impact of your work.

For creatives, the first step is to understand the emotional potential of the colors you use. Don’t just settle for aesthetics—think about what each color communicates to your audience. Experiment with different combinations to find the emotional resonance that fits your project’s tone. This can be especially important for marketers, who need to craft campaigns that connect on a deeper, emotional level with their target audience. You can conduct audience research to better understand the emotional triggers tied to certain colors. By studying how people react to different color schemes, you can create more personalized, effective campaigns that speak directly to your audience’s feelings.

Additionally, tools like Pixflow’s Colorify allow creators to experiment with color grading and tailor their content’s emotional tone. This kind of experimentation enables creators to visually tell more compelling stories that resonate on a deeper emotional level. By tapping into the emotional power of color, you can take your creative projects from good to unforgettable, much like how Pixar brings emotions to life with its vibrant, intentional use of color.

Encourage your audience to look beyond the surface and start using color to enhance their emotional storytelling. Whether you’re designing a brand, crafting an ad campaign, or creating content for your audience, the right color palette can make all the difference. Inspired by Inside Out, don’t be afraid to experiment and embrace the emotional depth that colors can provide.

Conclusion

For creatives and marketers, there are invaluable lessons to be learned from Pixar’s approach. The strategic use of color in branding and storytelling can strengthen emotional connections with your audience, enhance your narrative, and leave a lasting impact. Just as Inside Out teaches us to embrace the full spectrum of emotions, marketers and creators can learn to embrace the full emotional potential of color in their work.

Whether you’re designing a brand identity, crafting a marketing campaign, or simply experimenting with color in your creative projects, remember that color is a powerful tool for emotional storytelling. Experiment with different color palettes, conduct audience research, and discover how you can use colors to evoke the right emotions and create deeper connections with your audience.