Choosing Colors for Your Logo: Be Inspired by the 100 Most Valuable Brands
Choosing the right colors for your logo is crucial for creating a strong visual identity. By examining the logos from Forbes list of the world’s 100 most valuable brands we can learn from the leaders.
This article is a summary of Colors in Logo Design: A Case Study of the 100 Most Valuable Brands, published on Rule of 3. Read the full article here.
The Psychology of Colors for Your Logo
Color choice is often discussed from a pretty abstract point of view:
- Psychology: Different colors evoke different feelings. Imagine being in a room painted red, green, or blue; each would create a distinct atmosphere.
- Meanings: Colors convey specific messages. Red signals stop, green means go, orange signals waring.
- Industry Associations: Blue is said to be common in technology, green in healthcare, red in food and beverage, and black, silver, and gold in luxury brands.
But diving into the subject you soon realize that many of the “rules” conflict with each other. So how does the world’s most valuable brands tackle this?
Insights from Top Brands
Analyzing the logos of the top 100 brands reveals key patterns:
- 50% use only one color.
- 38% use two colors.
- Blue and red are equally popular, each appearing in 37% of logos.
- 18% of the logos are monochrome, using black or gray against white.
The Most Used Colors
Among the brands that use color in their logos:
- 37% contain blue
- 37% contain red
- 26% contain yellow/orange
- 8% contain green
Industry-Specific Trends
Different industries show distinct preferences:
- Banking/Finance: Often use red and orange, despite blue’s association with trust.
- Technology: Mix of blue and multicolor palettes (e.g., Google, Microsoft).
- Luxury: Predominantly black.
- Automotive: Mainly black, gray, and dark blue, with exceptions for Toyota and Porsche.
Design Styles
- Flat Design: Dominates with simplicity and clarity.
- Gradients: Only 7% use gradients.
- Skeuomorphism: Rare, seen in Porsche and Mercedes-Benz logos.
Conclusion
Choosing colors for your logo involves balancing psychological impact, industry norms, and personal taste. While some industries favor certain colors, successful brands often break these norms to stand out. Focus on simplicity and clarity, and don’t be afraid to innovate with your color choices.
This article is a summary of Colors in Logo Design: A Case Study of the 100 Most Valuable Brands, published on Rule of 3. Read the full article here.
