What do colours mean? What is the best colour for a logo?

The effect of using colours correctly in brand identity, logo design, web design and all kinds of advertising campaigns is huge. Do colours affect people's purchasing behaviour? Definitely. Check out our article on this topic worth checking out.

Colours mean a lot. Colours are effective in many aspects from determining the mood of people to their habits. Nature also introduces us to colours, blue skies, green vegetables, grey stones, and precious metals like gold. We don't just see colours; we feel them deeply.

Colour combinations can also have different meanings. Even colour tones and shades have very different meanings too. They can even change their meanings according to the typography or geometric shapes used besides the colours.

Colour meaning can even change according to cultures and what they remind them of. In other words, the tone of the colour, the other elements used in the design and the region where that design is going to be used are the main factors that make up the meaning of the colour.

How knowing the meanings of colours could benefit us?

Talented designers use the emotions that colours make us feel when choosing colours for their work. It is no coincidence that many fast-food logos are appetising red, and many sustainable brands use green to represent the environment in their designs. As an entrepreneur or designer, learning about colour meanings and how they make people feel can help you create more effective and recognisable designs.

Meaning of Colours

Red colours mean passion, love, and anger

Red is the colour of passion, love, and anger. It even signifies luck in some Asian cultures. Blood is red, so this red colour is often visible on our skin as our hearts beat and our emotions soar in the skies. Red is primitive; red can be dangerous. Designs describing warnings stop signs and high temperatures are always red.

Red is the most used colour in flags, as it represents rising emotions.

Using red in designs

It makes the design in which it is used bold, conspicuous and bold. It is a great choice to use red in the elements and expressions that you want to emphasise. If you absolutely do not want an item to go unnoticed, it should be red.

Orange is for creativity, enthusiasm and dynamism

The next warm colour on our list, orange, has a few similar associations to red: energy, boldness, and brightness. But it lacks that dangerous bite red has. Orange feels safer, which could be why it's such a popular colour for safety equipment.

Although orange feels safer than red, it has similar characteristics to red as a striking and bright colour. The fact that it is a reassuring colour brings it to the fore in designs related to safety. In addition, it is possible to see orange colour frequently in designs made for children and young people.

Orange is basically a mixed colour. It combines the warmth of red with the playfulness of yellow. The pale orange colour evokes the earth, giving it a calm and autumnal sense.

How to use orange in designs

Orange is a loud colour. It is a colour that should be avoided by companies that represent comfort and calmness. Orange is for designs that are not aggressive enough to use red but want attention.

Orange is always the safest choice to communicate with young people, make them feel dynamism and be interesting.

Hope and happiness of the yellow colour

Yellow is the colour of the sun and sunflowers. It is an expression of happiness, positivity and hope. It is another colour that grabs your attention and therefore can also be used to be mindful like red and orange. Feeling optimistic and bright, this colour feels strong and secure.

Yellow is also a warning colour used in life jackets, and police tapes at the scene of a crime. Those who are interested in football know well that a yellow card means a warning. Different shades of yellow can have different meanings, and their meanings can change according to culture. While yellow is used for worship in China, yellow represents happiness and wealth in Egypt.

Use cases of yellow colour

It is possible to come across the yellow colour on volunteer websites and on the websites of companies providing creative services. In addition, yellow colour can be used for warning buttons or for highlighting text or objects on any website. It is a correct practice to draw attention to anything with the yellow colour.

Green, world's most versatile color

Green is a color that is often associated with nature, growth, and renewal. It is a calming and refreshing hue that can bring a sense of tranquility and balance to any design. Green is also often associated with feelings of hope, peace, and stability, making it a popular choice for use in a wide variety of designs. In the natural world, green is the colour of leaves, grass, and other foliage, and is often associated with the outdoors and the environment. This connection to nature makes green a popular choice for designs that aim to convey a sense of eco-friendliness or sustainability. In addition to its associations with nature, green is also often associated with feelings of calm and serenity, making it a great choice for designs that aim to create a relaxing or calming atmosphere.

Use cases of green colour

In terms of specific examples, green can be used effectively in logos and branding materials for companies that specialise in eco-friendly products or services, such as green energy providers or natural beauty brands. It can also be a great colour to use in marketing materials for financial institutions, as it can help to convey a sense of stability and reliability. Additionally, green can be a great choice for designs related to health and wellness, as it is often associated with nature and clean living.

Green also is a colour that is often used in the design of buttons and links because it is associated with positive actions and successful outcomes. When a user sees a green button or link, they may be more likely to feel confident in clicking it because of the positive associations they have with the colour. Green is often used to indicate that an action has been successful, such as a "submit" or "complete" button turning green after a form has been filled out correctly. It is also frequently used to indicate a positive next step, such as a "continue" or "proceed" button being green. In these cases, the use of green can help to increase the user's sense of trust and confidence in the website or application, ultimately leading to a more positive and successful user experience.

Corporate cool: The role of blue in professional design

Blue is a colour that is often associated with calmness, intelligence, and trustworthiness. It is a popular choice for use in a wide variety of digital and printed designs, as it can convey a sense of professionalism and reliability. In terms of its meaning, blue is often associated with calmness and serenity, making it a great choice for designs that aim to create a relaxing or peaceful atmosphere. It is also often associated with intelligence and knowledge, making it a popular choice for educational materials and corporate branding.

Use cases of blue colour

Blue is a versatile colour that can be used effectively in a wide variety of design projects. In terms of its use in corporate branding and marketing materials, blue can be an effective choice for a number of different industries. For example, financial institutions such as banks and investment firms often use blue in their branding materials to convey a sense of trustworthiness, stability, and dependability. Similarly, healthcare providers may use blue in their branding and marketing materials to convey a sense of professionalism, reliability, and compassion.

Blue is also often used in technology branding and marketing materials, as it can convey a sense of innovation and forward-thinking. This might include the branding and marketing materials of software companies, internet service providers, and other tech-related businesses. In addition to its use in corporate branding, blue can also be an effective colour to use in educational materials, such as textbooks, instructional guides, and other learning resources. Its association with intelligence and knowledge makes it a great choice for materials related to these subjects.

It can be powerful to use blue in designs related to environmental issues. Its association with the sky, water, and other natural elements makes it a natural choice for materials related to conservation, sustainability, and eco-friendliness. This might include marketing materials for eco-friendly products and campaigns that aim to raise awareness about environmental issues. Overall, the use of blue in digital and printed designs can help to convey a sense of calmness, intelligence, and trustworthiness, making it a popular and effective choice for a wide range of projects.

The Royalty of Purple: Meaning and Uses of this Regal Hue

Purple is a colour that is often associated with royalty, luxury, and sophistication. It is a bold and vibrant hue that has long been associated with wealth and power, making it a popular choice for use in a wide variety of digital and printed designs. In terms of its meaning, purple is often associated with creativity, imagination, and intuition, making it a great choice for designs that aim to inspire and evoke emotion. It is also frequently associated with spirituality and mystery, making it a popular choice for designs related to these themes.

Use cases of purple colour

In terms of specific situations where purple would be a good choice, it can be an effective colour to use in designs related to fashion, beauty, and luxury products. Purple is often seen as a luxurious and sophisticated colour, making it a natural choice for these types of products and industries. It can also be a great choice for use in designs related to spirituality, such as materials for yoga studios or meditation retreats. Additionally, purple can be an effective colour to use in branding and marketing materials for creative or artistic businesses, as it is often associated with creativity and imagination.

Some examples of how purple might be used effectively in digital and printed designs include branding and marketing materials for fashion and beauty brands, luxury products, and creative or artistic businesses. It can also be a great choice for designs related to spirituality, such as logos and promotional materials for yoga studios or meditation retreats. Additionally, purple can be an effective colour to use in branding and marketing materials for businesses that specialize in high-end or exclusive products or services, as it is often associated with luxury and exclusivity. Overall, the use of purple in digital and printed designs can help to convey a sense of royalty, luxury, and sophistication, making it a popular and effective choice for a wide range of projects.

Feeling pretty in pink colour: The Playful Colour

Pink is a colour that is often associated with femininity, youthfulness, and playfulness. It can evoke feelings of joy, happiness, and warmth. Seeing pink can remind people of cotton candy, flowers, and bubble gum. It is also associated with love, nurturing, and compassion. For some, pink may bring up memories of childhood or innocence.

Companies that cater to a predominantly female audience, such as those in the beauty, fashion, or hospitality industries, are likely to use pink in their visual marketing. Pink can be used to create a sense of luxury and exclusivity, as well as to communicate a brand's commitment to female empowerment.

Use cases of pink colour

Pink has many use cases in the real world. For example, breast cancer awareness campaigns often use the colour pink to raise awareness and funds for research. The Victoria's Secret brand is famous for its use of pink in its branding, marketing, and store design, creating an association with femininity, beauty, and sensuality. Barbie, the iconic doll brand, uses a shade of pink known as "Barbie pink" in its packaging and advertising to appeal to its predominantly young, female audience.

In the sports industry, pink has been used to create a sense of edginess and rebellion. The NFL's "Crucial Catch" campaign, which raises awareness for cancer screenings, incorporates pink into team uniforms, equipment, and signage. Pink is also used in motorsports, with the "Pink Ribbon Racing" team competing in the Australian V8 Supercars Championship to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Brown: The Colour of Warmth, Comfort, and Reliability

Brown is a colour that is often associated with nature, warmth, and comfort. It can evoke feelings of stability, reliability, and security. Seeing brown can remind people of the earth, trees, and rustic textures. It is also associated with simplicity, honesty, and sincerity. Brown may bring up memories of home or nostalgia for simpler times.

Companies that emphasise authenticity, simplicity, or natural ingredients may use brown in their visual marketing. Brown can be used to create a sense of warmth and reliability, as well as to communicate a brand's commitment to sustainability and environmentalism.

Use cases of brown colour

Brown has many use cases in the real world. For example, the UPS brand is famous for its use of brown in its branding, marketing, and packaging, creating an association with dependability and reliability in shipping and logistics. The Starbucks brand incorporates brown into its store design and packaging to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, as well as to emphasise the use of natural, high-quality ingredients in its products.

In the fashion industry, brown has been used to create a sense of understated elegance and sophistication. The luxury brand Hermès uses a signature shade of brown known as "Hermès orange" in its packaging and advertising to create an association with exclusivity, high-quality craftsmanship, and sophistication.

The Power of Black Colour: Use this Bold and Versatile Colour

Black is a colour that is often associated with mystery, elegance, and sophistication. It can evoke feelings of power, sophistication, and professionalism. Seeing black can remind people of luxury, exclusivity, and formality. It is also associated with mystery, intrigue, and secrecy. For some, black may bring up memories of formal events or high-end products.

Companies that want to create a sense of luxury, sophistication, or exclusivity may use black in their visual marketing. Black can be used to create a sense of power and authority, as well as to communicate a brand's commitment to excellence and quality.

Use cases of black colour

Black has many use cases in the real world. For example, the luxury fashion brand Chanel is famous for its use of black in its branding, marketing, and fashion designs, creating an association with sophistication, elegance, and timelessness. Black is also used in the automotive industry, with luxury car brands often incorporating black into their logo and designs to create an association with power, speed, and exclusivity.

In the tech industry, black has been used to create a sense of sleekness and modernity. Apple's iconic black packaging and sleek designs have become a hallmark of the brand's commitment to simplicity and elegance.

Beyond Aesthetics: Colours Impact Consumer Behaviour

When it comes to marketing, choosing the right colour palette can make all the difference. Colours can influence how consumers perceive a brand, product, or service, and can even impact their purchasing decisions. By understanding the psychology of colour and using it strategically, businesses can create effective marketing campaigns that resonate with their target audience.

It's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing colours for marketing. The effectiveness of a colour palette will depend on various factors, such as the industry, target audience, and marketing goals. However, by understanding the meaning and associations of different colours, businesses can make informed decisions when it comes to their visual marketing strategy.

In conclusion, choosing the right colours for your marketing campaign is not just about aesthetics, it's about understanding the impact that colours can have on consumer behaviour and perception. By using colour strategically, businesses can create a powerful and memorable brand identity, attract and retain customers, and ultimately drive business success. So take the time to research and experiment with different colour palettes, and don't be afraid to think outside the box to create a visual identity that truly stands out.