Imagine you are in a new town looking for your bank, which happens to be Barclays. Your eyes take in a stream of information, colours and shapes as they scan the streets ahead until, far in the distance, you detect the Barclay’s Blue - and nothing else.
This is just one of many ways that colour is important in marketing.
On the way you go into a shop for a snack. The Cadbury purple guides you to buy the chocolate bar of your choice.
Red and yellow
Note that many brands (especially fast food brands) have red and yellow as predominant colours in their identity.
Red attracts attention and yellow is the most visible colour in daylight.
The meaning of different colours
- Red
Dangerous, strong, aggressive, exciting, energetic.
- Yellow
Bright, optimistic, cheerful, intellectual.
- Green
Natural, solid, harmony, balance, hope, stability, peace (often the colour of surgeon's and nurse's uniforms).
- Blue
Truth, serenity, loyal, cool, sense of well being, soothing (often the colour of surgeon's and nurse's uniforms)
- Orange
Stimulating, enegetic, warmth, happiness.
- Purple
Spiritual, truth, justice.
- Black
Elegance, power, individuality, intimidating, sophisticated (the colour of uniforms worn by those wishing to project an image of power and control).
- Gray
Neutral, modest, unobtrusive.
- Gold
Majestic, glory, pride.
- White
Brightness, cleanliness, purity, clarity.
- Brown
Solid, natural, conservative.
- Pastels
Soothing, soft, gentle, sweet, romantic.