Illuminating Snow: Impact of Lighting Color on Emotional Well-being in a Snowy Landscape

This study aims to investigate the impact of light color on emotional well-being in snowy landscapes. Through a simulated experiment, 95 participants were tested to compare the effects of six different light colors (yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and purple) on emotional well-being in snow-covered environments, using a snow scene without artificial lighting as the baseline condition. Emotional well-being was assessed using a modified version of the Positive and Blue Affect Schedule (PANAS), focusing on six key emotional dimensions. The results indicate that warm-colored lighting (orange and yellow) significantly enhanced positive emotions, such as pleasure and enjoyment, while cool-colored lighting (green and blue) significantly increased blue emotions, such as anxiety and tension. Notably, purple lighting exhibited a dual effect, simultaneously enhancing positive emotions while also amplifying blue emotions. These findings suggest that the influence of light color on emotional well-being in snowy landscapes is complex and context-dependent. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing urban winter lighting strategies to enhance public emotional well-being through appropriate light color selection.