My Trip to the DMV as a Secret Agent: The Case of the Color Psychologist
I just returned from an hour long adventure at the DMV. Now I am aware that one hour is nothing significant in terms of time, whilst in the Land of Motor Vehicles bureaucracy, so by no means am I complaining. I had made an appointment ahead of time, so I was able to stroll right up to the "Appointment Only" window and get my number to then wait for it to be called. I did this while literally hundreds of people without appointments wrapped a line around the entire perimeter of the building just to check in; and another hundred or so vied for one of the uncomfortable gray fiberglass seats scattered throughout the drab surroundings; all while staring up at the blasé number board hoping that their number would be the next one blipped onto the screen.
As I stood there waiting for my lucky number to plink up (which, by the way was A007 - I totally swear, and to which I figured meant I was officially a secret agent sent on assignment to gather important intelligence on the matter of motor vehicle beadledom) I came to an overwhelming conclusion after scoping out the scene. And that is that once you leave the sunshine and otherwise "normal" day outside, push open the front doors and enter into the World of the DMV, you leave all normalness and step right on into the dismal abyss of melancholy.
Dude, everyone looks sad inside of these stark gray walls. The patrons are gloomy. The workers look grumpy. The tone is somber. Now granted, you are giving over quite a portion of your life just by venturing inside, so it might not necessarily be time to celebrate. But hey, we all have to be in there at one point or another, so it's unfortunate that there can't be some boost to the ambiance and atmosphere while we are trapped inside.
Which brings me to my reason for writing. And that would be my solution to the sad, bleak dungeon of DMV dwellings; which is to wash that gray right out of the walls (*set to the tune of the old "Wash that gray right out of my hair" commercial).
You see, my idea is to employ the psychology of color theory. Since gray is known as "the middle-of-the-road" shade and is often associated with old age, death, taxes, depression, and a lost sense of direction, I think we need to spruce up the place and see what happens THEN.
Perhaps a spicy, bold splash of orange, which is associated with fun times, happy and energetic days, warmth, and ambition. We could pair that with the royal tone of purple which is commonly equated with success, and which stimulates the brain activity used in problem solving.
Then we could pop some bold green chairs into the waiting area, as green is connected to good luck, generosity, peace, harmony, and well-paced energy.
Wouldn't you MUCH rather have this vivid, fun atmosphere to twiddle your thumbs within while waiting for the magic number to appear?
Oh, I know, I know...it sounds like a bit much, right? But holy cupcakes, that gloomy building was bringing me down, man. The environment seemed contagious and everyone looked way too glum.
Ok, it's just wishful thinking. But I totally think it would make a difference and though it would still majorly suck to have to follow along the test-taking, vehicle-renewing, fee-paying trail, at least you could look around and soak in the festive pigments while you shuffle through the tedious tasks at hand. Eh?
Let's start a DMV makeover rally. Happier walls, happier workers, happier patrons, all-around happier vibe. What do you say? 
Monday, January 11, 2010 at 1:00PM
Reader Comments (14)
I love it. It is weird that they picked those horrible colors that they did for that place. It is amazing that with all of the money going into that place everyday (that is when it is not closed for one of Arnie's Furlough days) that it would be the most beautiful place around.
Exactly! I've lived in plenty of different cities/towns and the DMV is always the same. You explained that place to a T. Your idea is so perfect! I think they should also give the workers a few ecstasy pills each morning, hehe. The DMV is more depressing than a morgue. I can't believe there aren't more "postal" DMV workers killing each other, lol. The last time I went to get my license renewed, it was so drab in there that I renewed it for 7 years so I wouldn't have to go back....but then I forgot about license plate renewals...shit!
Great post!!! =)
You are so right on! I have thought the same thing going in there, and I did take a psychology of color course in my fashion school. Either yellow, or orange would be a great change for the wall colors! They could even hire people to entertain, which would boost the economy, especially in my work field. They could even put some paintings or art around the place. And some nice tunes wouldn't hurt either. Great post!
Your fan,
Serana Rose
mmmhmmm i like this a lot.....the dmv would be a great place to have an art show......
Hah, great post, Jinxi! Boy, you ain't kiddin about the DMV. I can't remember ever visiting a DMV office and seeing someone smile randomly and not look like they were ready to either strangle someone or cry. It's a major downer and I love your idea of sprucing things up a bit. I also agree color is a very powerful medium for altering moods and it's certainly a good place to start.
Whenever I think of DMV I also always think of this clip which never ceases to make me laugh til I cry [miss these guys, too!]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvn-tBeLpCk
:D xoxo Wen
Thank you for all of the great comments! I think we should all march in and give them our colorful decorating ideas (and better yet, like Jason said, set up an art show. Can you imagine how cool THAT would be! Talk about sprucing the place up, eh?)
Wen, thank you for that hilarious Taxi clip. Oh man, that was fantastic. I haven't seen that show for SO long.
"What does a yellow light mean?" (ah ha ha ha)
i luv this idea, whenever you go back to the DMV, you should tell them to add a little spice to their building. when i was about 10 / 11, i was so scared to even walk around the building, so i stayed with my mom the whole time and started drawing on all their ads n brochure >.<
OH MY GOODNESS...i have been saying for sooooo long how cool would it be to paint the walls at DMV orange!!! just to brighten it up and maybe brighten up the gloom & doom in there...i mean street cones are orange so why not make the walls at dmv orange & make it a happy place. I LOVE IT!!! we should all start pushing for that makeover....you go agent a007
"HOLY CUPCAKES!" That would be rad. and not only change the DMV offices, but the DHS/ Self Sufficency offices as well. Those offices do need a make over.
That's awesome Jinxi! See, this is one of the things I absolutely love about you. Always thinking of ways to make people happier, and make the world a less dreary place. =)
Something more immediate and clandestine might be if some good-hearted anarchists were to decorate the chairs with cute, artsy, or inspirational stickers.
I recall when I had to renew my drivers license a few years back down at one of the Texas DPS offices when it expired, ...on my birthday. Happy Freeking Birthday! I remember thinking at the time that it would be really nice if they made it expire a week or, better yet, a month after your bday, just so you didn't have to worry about it on a day that you should be happy and carefree. Ya know?
xox-
Shay
Jinxi,
You encourage me to verbalize my what seems to me like odd ball ideas and that is something I appreciate about you. I'm not sure why when "designing" the DMV's or lack their of who came up with the dreary look for this place. So what some teenagers fail their driving test here or we have to wait over an hour. To see the face of a "not so friendly" attendant that doesn't mean we should all sit in misery like our lives are less then great because of hwere we are "takin' care of business!" :)
I will GLADLY be the spokeswoman of Fort Lauderdale, FL DMV's and be a proud supporter of hmmm thinking of a title ...... DMV Makeover we could make a reality show out of it. After all it would add some happiness and joy to reality T.V. while we are at it!
:) Sara G.
yay! What a great idea :)! It would be impossible not to smile and be in a good mood if you were surrounded by such happy colors-and 1 smile always inspires 100's more. So at the end of the day even the workers would be smiling and a little bouncier cause they would have dealt with amazing happy customers all day long :)!
Darling post, cutie pie! You are such a fabulous and fun writer--love it!
Hi Jinxi Boo!
They decorated, remodeled, and reorganized the BMV in my home-town!
The place is now colorful, has chairs with padding, and is roomy and delightful!
The cool thing is the positive effect it has made on the employees of BMV.
I used to hate going there; they were rude and seemed to go out of their way to make you wait longer . Now I go in and feel like they're happy to see me! YIPPEE for a beautiful, colorful world!