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Look Sharp

Colour psychology:

The branding colours identifies top companies

Graphic Design and the Brand’s colour selection can say a lot about a company or brand. For established brands, a colour can intrinsically link to the business’s identity.

Think of Starbucks’ famous white and green coffee cups or Cadbury’s iconic purple wrapping. And for new brands, their colour and colour scheme is an attempt to position their business with their desired customer.

Recognisable Branding

Colour and brand identity

Dive into the patterns of well-known companies revealed by popular colour choices and take a closer look at the big businesses that think outside the square.

For instance, they found that blue is used in over 75% of credit card brand logos and colours and 20% of fast-food brands. Red, meanwhile, is found in 0% of apparel logos—but over 60% of retail brands.

For consumers confronted with advertising thousands of times a day, these visual cues can be an unconscious message about what they’re being sold and by whom.

The lesson here? There isn’t a colour that will automatically guarantee success for your brand—but choosing the wrong colour can mean your target market overlooks your brand.

There are, however, strong associations with particular colours in the mind of consumers. These flow both ways—the association between orange and energy might not be inherent to the actual colour itself, but instead is a result of the fact that it’s so often used by brands who want to convey this message. Consumers see this colour and know, subconsciously, that there’s a subtle message being conveyed. In this way, colour psychology becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

There is also a physiological aspect to colour. Think about when you see a fluorescent sign: Sometimes, the colour can be so bright that you must squint. There’s no denying that specific colours are bold and eye-catching, while others are more subtle and gentle on the eyes.

Certain companies use this to their advantage—for example, McDonald’s, whose logo is frequently seen in crowded foodcourts or as a Drive-Thru destination on the road. In these situations, the bright yellow of the golden arches acts as a siren call.

Associations

Industry

white.png

Associated with sincerity, purity, cleanness, simplicity, hygiene, clarity, and peace

Wellness, Tech, Medicine

pink.png

Associated with nurturing, warmth, and softness

Beauty, Toys, Lingerie

red.png

Associated with activity, strength, excitement, and stimulation. Consider up-to-date

Retail, Health

orange.png

Associated with excitement, liveliness, energy, extroversion

Fitness, Logistics, Tech

yellow.png

Associated with optimism, extraversion, friendliness, happiness and cheerfulness

Fitness, Digital, Budget

blue.png

Associated with competence, intelligence, communications, trust, efficiency, duty, and logic

Finance, Health, Tech, Insurance

black.png

Associated with sophistication, glamour, power, stateliness, and dignity

Fashion, Finance, Automotive

purple.png

Associated with luxury, authenticity, and quality

Luxury, Tech, Design

brown.png

Associated with ruggedness, seriousness, nature, earthiness

Confectionary, Coffee

green.png

Associated with nature, security, the outdoors

Eco-friendly, Health, Outdoor

Industry research

Ask yourself, What is my business all about—and who is my audience? Remember that your logo and colour scheme should appeal to your ideal customer. And remember to look at your competition. Your brand strategy will determine whether you’re more comfortable creating something that breaks with industry tradition, or keeps to the established trends—but knowing what else is out there is crucial.

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