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Writer's pictureJski

Branding - How to choose brand colors

Updated: Aug 4

choosing colors for your branding

How does a product or service catch your attention?  What influences you to purchase a product or service? Companies spend a ton of money trying to get to this answer. It is ultimately an interaction of factors. However, a visual is one of the first factors that causes you to engage. Different colors trigger different emotions and perceptions; therefore, color selection can harm or help your brand. Let's take a dive into how to choose your brand colors.


Do any of these sound familiar?


I think this is a good deal

I think it is too expensive

I feel like this would make my life easier

I think this would save me money

While walking down an isle, something catches my attention

While browsing online, a product or service catches my attention


Reflect on how colors impacted any of these points. The exposure to color triggers feelings and responses (Labrecque, 2020). The important question is whether you are invoking that feeling in your customers. Is it triggering the response you want? Jessie showcases a simple list of some of the colors and emotions they trigger:


  • Green: New Beginnings, Abundance, Nature

  • Blue: Calm, Responsible, Sadness

  • Purple: Creativity, Royalty, Wealth

  • Red: Passion, Love, Anger

  • Orange: Energy, Happiness, Vitality

  • Yellow: Happiness, Hope, Deceit

  • Black: Mystery, Elegance, Evil

  • Gray: Moody, Conservative, Formality

  • White: Purity, Cleanliness, Virtue

  • Brown: Nature, Wholesomeness, Dependability

  • Tan or Beige: Conservative, Piety, Dull

  • Cream or Ivory: Calm, Elegant, Purity


(Showalter, 2017)


In a study, Augello et al. noted the association between color palettes and different emotions (2013): 


colors trigger emotions and responses

Colors generate emotional triggers that may vary depending on the demographic. Notably, colors also affect the perception of space and size. Studies show that website colors directly affect people’s minds (Mythili & Kiruthiga, 2022), and since colors impact assumptions such as durability or user-friendliness (Labrecque, 2020), the color selection process should be well thought out. Take a look at some of the influential factors of color perception as described by Labrecque et al. (2013): 


Psychological outcomes of colors

We often encounter folks set on a color they picked for their website(s), logo(s), physical location(s), and/or brand. When we ask what drove them to that color, we find it is often motivated by preferences or is of a symbolic nature. We encourage you to take it a step further and conduct a bit of research before making this decision. Find a common ground between your desires, the market, and your customer segments.


Augello, A., Infantino, I., Pilato, G., Rizzo, R., & Vella, F. (2013). Binding representational spaces of colors and emotions for creativity. Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures5, 64–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bica.2013.05.005


Labrecque, L. I. (2020). Color research in marketing: Theoretical and technical considerations for conducting rigorous and impactful color research. Psychology & Marketing, 37(7), 855–863. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21359


Mythili, R., & Kiruthiga, V. (2022). Scrutiny on colour psychology by utilising colour wheel

to determine its effect on gen Z for website design. International Journal of Health

Sciences, 6(S3), 2687–2700. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6nS3.6175


Showalter, J. (2017, February 1). Creative Basics  - Color Theory. Medium. https://medium.com/@iamjesseshow/creative-basics-color-theory-5a39c6870af3

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