Character Creation Made Easy-Pick a Personality, Method 3 – By Color
We’re skipping around a bit. We’re going to do Color first, and Archetypes next.
The Color personality theory comes from Insight Learning Systems. They say that each person is a blend of the colors, with one being primary. (There’s an online test if you want to see what primary color you are.) For your own character, you can start with a primary color and throw in some traits of another to make him or her a little more well-rounded.
Gold – Guardian of tradition, dutiful citizen, law-maker
Primary Goal – to be useful, helpful and productive
- Need to be self-sufficient because receiving something for nothing or taking advantage of others is offensive
- Value order in all things, including their homes and even closets
- Value punctuality, schedules and rules
- Are goal-oriented
- Believe in preparing for the future
- Are inclined to join groups to belong and then support the group traditions
- Value responsibility so work comes before play
- Enjoy positions of authority – gives them the opportunity to create structure and order
Green – Seeker of knowledge, voice of reason and logic, innovator and questioner
Primary Goal – to understand the world around them
- Need to be competent and capable
- Need intellectual freedom to learn, think and question
- Are curious and may take things apart to see how they work
- Question authority – just because a person is in charge doesn’t make him correct
- Push themselves to improve
- Slow to make decisions and need a lot of time to think and analyze all the data
- Value concise communication with no repetition
- Can be oblivious to hurt feelings and emotions in other people
- Can be detached due to all the thinking in her head and will shy away from social events
- Work is play – tend to be easily consumed by work, drawn to technical occupations
- Focus on the future and the possibilities that lie ahead
Blue – Peacemaker, lover of harmony, crusader for good
Primary goal – to find a mission and then devote himself to it
- Values integrity of self – being true to himself
- Hungers for a unique identity, to be special, to be appreciated for her unique contributions
- Sensitive to nuances and subtleties in gestures and body language, always looking for symbolism
- Values close relationships and is deeply devoted and loyal friend
- Patient and optimistic, he looks for the good inside people
- Good listener and excellent communicator, likes to share emotions with others
- Makes decisions based on emotion, sensitive to criticism and conflict, feelings can be easily hurt
- Tends to collect mementos, keepsakes, souvenirs of people and events that are meaningful to her
- Not competitive, wants everyone to be a winner
- Drawn to nurturing careers like nursing, counseling, teaching, religion and social work
- Seeks deeper meaning in her life, gets involved in causes
Orange – Risk-taker, lover of fun, life of the party
Primary goal – freedom to do what they want when they want
- Values freedom and spontaneity with no ties, confinement or obligation
- Impulsive and optimistic, lives in the moment
- Thrives on crises, unexpected events, responds quickly and dramatically
- Might create his own crisis if things get dull and boring
- Compelled to use tools; must pilot the plane, play the instrument, shoot the gun or wield the scalpel
- Likes to be the center of attention, adds excitement to any environment
- Needs variety, tends to wanderlust, changing jobs, activities, life patterns often
- Has great endurance in discomfort, deprivation, hunger, fatigue or pain; he just keeps going
- Competitive and aggressive in his desire to win
- Drawn to active jobs
Do you see the beginning of a character in one of these Colors? Try choosing one color as primary and see how your story planning goes. You can add in some traits from a different color if your character seems too one-dimensional.
And next up… I promise, is using Archetypes to jumpstart your character.
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