The Color Psychology For Logo Design
Logo design is vital for brand and company branding, bringing it one of the crucial elements in many ways. It is also worth noticing that the design can turn into the center of the whole branding detailing. Among the high of the process of creating a logo, every element on its will create a unique challenge on its own, including when one needs to pick the color.
Creating a logo and deciding the color is far from easy. Designers should understand the idea of color psychology for logo design. The answer goes to the fact that every element of design in the logo will either determine, support, or disrupt the real intention of the creation. Since it is a company and branding project, the color should not be amiss.
Designers can put the idea of color psychology as strategic thinking and planning. One should consider the meaning and how the hues develop mood, impression, to other details. With that in mind, it is a good aspect for people to pay attention to the logo and purely pay more attention to the color psychology used. Here is what to learn.
Psychology Behind Colors, Shapes, And Styles
Design is full of theory and psychology. Professionals will understand how vital some elements are in the creation, including shapes, styles, and colors. It is important to underline and remember that every attribute of a logo adds additional meaning, which can either support or divert the intention of the creation.
In this case, logo designs are made for branding or company identity. With that idea, it is best to contribute and plan every attribute in the same ways and meaning as the company's value. The function of the logo itself is as a design and visual identity that can speak words about the particular business. In other words, a picture that speaks for itself.
Created by Meteora Agency | https://www.behance.net/gallery/124227715/Artmodul-Branding
Among the long suspends and creations of design, creators need to do research. In this case, compiling and discovering the possible logo color should be part of the research. The ideas highlight that shapes, styles, and color psychology are very important to seriously consider. Not only that, but there are also some other global effects on how psychology works.
Some research about design and how the psychology of design highlights that people connect with the design work the same way from their perspective. It pinpoints that the psychology of color, shapes and other attributes have a huge effect on the meaning. It allows people of different demographics to create different meanings for the same word.
The proper use of color psychology for logo design and all of the similar attributes can help the project's works develop real meaning. That is why designers need to carefully mull over each element to understand what the logo is going to mean. It is also worth underlining that the logo and its design psychology should be in the same line to create the desired meaning or message.
Created by Fida Kuchukbaeva | https://www.behance.net/gallery/92300035/Brand-identity-for-VEGANUTIE
The Role Of Color In The Logo Design Works
Along with other attributes' psychology is considered a vital part of the design. There is also a huge role in how the color works on the logo. The ideas go along with the fact that colors are made in many ways and possible interpretations. It highlights the huge risks of color psychology misinterpretation.
The reason does not merely happen on how the customer makes misinterpretation, but also on how vast the color options are. New internet technology and the huge ranges of logo designs provide a prolific option for designers to work with vibrant color schemes and a lot of possible logo configurations. It later lessens the understanding of the psychological factors behind it.
To add to the more chaotic reasoning, many clients or brands do not understand the underlying reason for using color psychology. People tend to prefer their favorite shades, which can bring the opposite effect on the logo and its design. In the worst case, the design industry is filled with trends. Thus bringing dominance in certain hues.
Created by Igor Tkvnk | https://www.behance.net/gallery/143675971/Digital-20X
Those aspects and misconceptions on the use of hues and attributes can lead to a logo that fails to capture the imagination and bring the real interpretation of the onlooker. With that in mind, one can underline that the importance of color psychology for logo design is hard to miss. It is something special and should help rejuvenate the looking project.
However, the role of color and only using the following is sure to make the design look bad and lose its initial meaning. Designers need to put psychology as part of strategic planning. There is a need to select the right type of color scheme and bring the proper share of shades to the logo.
That is where the designer needs to understand that every color has different psychology, expresses different emotions, and provides a real exposure to the onlooker. At the end of the day, the selection of hues, shades, or tins goes along with the psychological effect. It is more than just a look and fancy visual attribute; but is more about developing the desired impression.
Created by Prismo Studio | https://www.behance.net/gallery/126300049/Bloomers
Logo Color and Brand Identity
How color psychology for logo design creates brand identity? Along with the long list of attributes, the link between color and brand identity is very strong. There is much research, one of them by Gorge Milne and Lauren Labrecque that explains a carefully chosen color is similar to a brand name. It carries the intrinsic meaning that becomes the brand identity, recognition, and desired image.
The research also brings a huge indication of how far and vast color psychology affects the brand identity due to the use of logo design. It also indicates that some of the colors are associated and frequently used in particular industries. Take an example of the finance industry that is very strongly associated with blue as its primary hue.
Created by Guasca Studio | https://www.behance.net/gallery/131973291/Brecha-Parrilla
It is not only about going to the trend, but the dominant use has explained how strongly color psychology shapes the meaning of the brand identity. At the end of the day, the psychology of the hues showcases how the visual cues can turn into an unconscious message of their brand.
Take an example of Mc. Donald's logo and design go around red and yellow as its primary hues. The details and selection of the color follow the dominance of the food and beverage industry, which likely has red that represents hot and warm or yellow that brings a bright and youthful representation.
The color psychology for logo design on the McDonald's brand also helps introduce the real meaning and message. It unconsciously showcases what the company sold, by whom, and for who. The dominance itself also helps pinpoint the real psychological meaning of the industry and the brand. Thus, every designer can consider the hidden meaning of the attribute.
Created by studio dolphins | https://www.behance.net/gallery/146216333/Let-Eat-Be
Color Psychology And Big Trend In Logo Design
While there are particular uses of color psychology to accentuate branding, logo design also has a very strong trend in the market. It can be a good help in working with logos but also a pitfall in creating a momentum design. The key is that designers need to understand the trend but also be wise enough to avoid joining the idea.
One of the best examples of how trends disrupt psychology meaning is blue. Research by Canva on Fortune 500 showcases that varying industries have a prominent trend of using blue. The design can appear different from other design elements, but the misuse of the hues can disrupt the desired meaning.
Despite the trend, it is easy to understand how blue turned into a popular pick. Blue has the psychological effect of bringing the meaning of an inoffensive impression. It is a natural option that is loved by every gender, sophisticated without being too much, and conveys trust in its impression. It is a more versatile option for logo design in varying industries.
Created by Rodrigo Francisco | https://www.behance.net/gallery/106926043/BlueBenx
Along with blue, there is also red. However, the red hues' psychological effect is the opposite of blue. It provides a bolder choice of brand, accentuating a more aggressive meaning and passionate mood. It is a popular choice for the food and retail industry. The trend and the favorite use itself help indicate how vital the color psychology for the logo design industry is.
In general, the logo and how the design incorporates it into the company have strong relations with human response, cues, and triggers of a particular behavior. However, it is safe to say that color does not guarantee success for the logo brand. Choosing the wrong hue can mean your brand is overlooked by the target.
Created by Mubien Brands® | https://www.behance.net/gallery/91296775/Apostle-Digital
Color Meaning, Association, And Symbols
1. White
The color psychology behind white is very close to its meaning of purity, cleanness, and holiness. In its uses, logo designers can use white to evoke the meaning and feeling of perfection, innocence, and simplicity. The implementation of the design is more or less a neutral selection, which can enforce different types of hues or color combinations.
White is also associated with light, which is the perfect psychological meaning behind the logo design of the health and medical industry. In many ways, white will also represent coolness and promote the thought of purification. It makes the logo appear more modern, clean, and simple, which is another new trend in the design industry.
Created by Papanapa Design | https://www.behance.net/gallery/73312839/BOMA
2. Pink
Pink is associated with a sense of nurturing, softness, and warmth. For such a pastel palette, the color is not the most versatile option for a logo. The design that uses such color will likely come from the beauty, lingerie, or toys industry. It is also a very prominent symbol of female demography, which is why it lacks a trend in its uses.
Created by Fábio Pimenta | https://www.behance.net/gallery/141755699/Bento-Brand-Design
3. Red
Being one of the popular picks in the industry, color psychology for logo design has a strong association with strength, excitement, strength, and stimulation. For that reason, some designs in the health and retail industry likely use the hues to add excitement and motivation. However, it is also a popular option for the food industry.
Many logos come with red to represent hot, warmth, or the food process. Whether it is fast food or a generic restaurant logo, the design helps provide the meaning of freshly cooked food. In its implementation, red also has a prominent psychological effect on younger audiences. It proposes a strong emotion, love, and energy, a great option for exciting brands.
Created by Graphéine | https://www.behance.net/gallery/141024827/France-Universits-Brand-design
4. Orange
Orange comes with excitement, energy, extroversion, and liveliness. Those color psychology for logo designs makes orange a favorite option for some technology companies. Due to its liveliness, there is also a huge use of oranges in the logistics and fitness industry. It is also a warm palette, which is a great option to improve attraction to a younger audience.
Created by Charles Blouin | https://www.behance.net/gallery/97732617/Gogene-Branding
5. Yellow
Still on the warm color spectrum, yellow is one of the eye-catching options that can be good or bad for design. The idea is likely to highlight the characteristics of youth, clear visibility, and brightness. In its implementation, yellow is a dominant pick for a logo that demands a quick and high attention span. It is also the main option for traffic or danger signs.
Despite its favoritism and main uses of sign and danger information, yellow also has a strong psychological relation with youth. It is associated with a sense of friendliness, happiness, optimism, extraversion, and cheerfulness. For that color psychology, many companies in the budget, fitness, and digital industry will likely use yellow.
Created by 303 design lab | https://www.behance.net/gallery/116408711/sense-it-Identity
6. Blue
Being the favorite option in the logo industry and design works, blue has a very long psychological meaning. It is likely associated with competence, intelligence, trust, communication, duty, logic, and communication. The representation itself makes blue a very versatile option, which also encompasses its ability to traverse different genre stigma.
With that psychological effect and representation, blue can be found on the logos of finance, health, insurance, or the health industry. The other effect of the color includes conveying a message of success and confidence. Sometimes, it is also loved for its ability to negate negative emotions and express positivity.
Created by Lena Melnik | https://www.behance.net/gallery/118374147/YOUNG-OLD-LAB-social-project
7. Purple
Purple is a pretty unique option for design. It is made by combining blue and red, which make a rich impression on the design brand and logo in general. It is also associated with luxury, quality, and authenticity, which is why the color psychology for logo design behind it is pretty common in the design industry. It is also famous for tech or luxury brand logo work.
Created by Lucas Matheus | https://www.behance.net/gallery/129765595/Ofermax
8. Green
Going to the more neutral color, green is not completely on the cold color spectrum. Instead, it harbors a sense of freshness, nature, outdoors, or security. With that psychological effect, logo design can use the hues to accentuate the meanings of its product. It is the best option for some industries related to outdoor activities, health functions, and eco-friendly materials.
Created by AboutDesign | https://www.behance.net/gallery/117537361/HYPER-
9. Brown
The earthy tone of brown has a strong psychological effect on the logo and design. The brands that use brown can create a sense of seriousness, nature, earthiness, and ruggedness. For some reason, brown is under the warm color spectrum. It exudes a simple harmony on the logo, which makes it the most common option for a real estate brand or construction logo.
Created by Hyeong Gi Kwon | https://www.behance.net/gallery/70433969/BANDINLUNIS-Brand-Experience-Design
10. Black
Black offers color psychology for logo designs that are looking for a strong impression. The neutral hues can bring a sense of strength and power, despite its boring appearance. Adhering to black comes with its challenge. It is simple and versatile, but it can also lack an impression. That is why logo designers need to be careful in using it, especially for luxurious and glamorous impressions.
Created by Menta Picante | https://www.behance.net/gallery/90181595/Synx
Final Words
To put everything simply, the idea of using color psychology is one of the determining values in many design projects. For a logo design, the work and the contribution of hues bring meaning, interpretation, association, and symbols. Sometimes it is part of the industry's trend and dominant, which designers need to be aware of.
Together with other meaningful elements, such as shapes and styles, the hues will create proper branding of the company. It later will shape and develop a limitation and guide the project creation. Take an example of how color psychology will shape and be used on other related design projects, including the web or the product packaging.
At the end of the day, the color psychology for logo design plays a huge role in the project creation. It brings more than just what the design could speak about in a particular business. It also works as part of the research and creation that is supposed to attract a certain demographic with a similar imagination and meaning. That is why psychology on design should not be misjudged.
Color psychology should be a part of design research that both company and the creator should understand. It evokes meaning, showcases ideas, puts the logo at the proper industry trend, and brings the potential meaning to the onlooker. The idea is pretty close to basic design knowledge every designer needs to understand before creating any project.
