Logo Research: Colour Trends

POPULAR COLOUR PAIRINGS OF 2015

• Pastel Colour Palettes
• Neutral Grey Shades
• Bold Colour Mixing
• Warm Tones
• Dynamic Pairings (B&W with splashes of a bold colour)

THE MOST POPULAR COLOUR IN THE WORLD IS BLUE

When it comes to corporate logos, blue is the most commonly used colour.

- Statistic from ColourMatters.com

THE COLOUR CHOICE SHOULD REINFORCE THE LOGO – BUT NOT DEFINE IT

1 in 12 people suffer from colour blindness, which shows that we shouldn't put too much focus on the colour choice. If the logo doesn't look good in black and white, then we will need to improve it.

PSYCHOLOGY OF COLOUR

Colour is a non-verbal form of communication. It has multiple layers of meaning and plays a huge part in creating a logo as it will affect how people perceive the company.

Researching the psychology of colour will mean we can create the right logo that will be a success with the target market.

Since every colour, including black and white, has an implication on our logo designs we've taken extra care in choosing colours that convey the right message for the brand.

Red implies passion, energy, danger or aggression; warmth and heat. It has also been found to stimulate appetite, which explains why it is used in so many restaurants and food product logos. Choosing red for your logo can make it feel more dynamic.

Orange is often see as the colour of innovation and modern thinking. It also carries connotations of youth, fun, affordability and approachability.

Yellow requires cautious use as it has some negative connotations including its signifying of cowardice and its use in warning signs. However, it is sunny, warm and friendly and is another colour that is believed to stimulate appetite.

Green is commonly used when a company wishes to emphasise their natural and ethical credentials, especially with such products as organic and vegetarian foods. Other meanings ascribed to it include growth and freshness, and it's popular with financial products too.

Blue is one of the most widely used colours in corporate logos. It implies professionalism, serious mindedness, integrity, sincerity and calm. Blue is also associated with authority and success, and for this reason is popular with both financial institutions and government bodies.

Purple speaks to us of royalty and luxury. It has long been associated with the church, implying wisdom and dignity, and throughout history it has been the colour of wealth and riches.

Black is a colour with a split personality. On the one hand it implies power and sophistication, but on the other hand it is associated with villainy and death. More mundanely, most logos will need a black and white version for use in media in which colour is not available – and there is currently a trend for bold monochrome logos and word marks.

White is generally associated with purity, cleanliness, simplicity and naiveté. In practical terms, a white logo will always need to stand in a coloured field to make it show up on a white background. Many companies will choose to have a coloured version and a white version of their logos; for example, the Coca-Cola word mark appears in white on its red tins and brown bottles but is used in red when needed on a white background.

Brown has masculine connotations and is often used for products associated with rural life and the outdoors.

Pink can be fun and flirty, but its feminine associations means it is often avoided for products not specifically targeted at women.

- Information from Creative Bloq.com & Colour Psychology.com