Caution with Color

Anushka Basu
Paperclip Design
Published in
3 min readJul 27, 2023

Does Brand Color Even Matter?

In the heart of India, nestled amidst lush greens and traditional dairy farms, there existed a vision — a vision to preserve age-old farming practices and provide the world with pure and authentic organic dairy products. This was the vision of Gir Organic, a company that aspired to be the epitome of sustainability and quality in the sattvic food industry. They did not just want to sell a product but tell a story through their authentic Vedic ghee.

As Gir Organic set its sights on expansion, they learned that it required more than just a name; it required an identity that would resonate with their audience and visually communicate its values.

Here is where Paperclip Design understood the assignment!

After learning about Gir Organic’s mission and conducting research on it, we knew that what they needed was a brand identity that reflected the richness of their products and one that appealed to nature. So, we put our thinking glasses on and delved deep into the nuances of color psychology. The goal was to find shades that could tell the story of what Gir Organic is all about.

After much exploration and artistic intuition, Paperclip Design unveiled our masterpiece: a palette of Nile Green and Marigold Yellow.

How and Why? Because Contrast is Paramount.

Nile Green, like a gentle breeze through the fields, symbolizes nature, health, and renewal. It speaks of the vision, mission and commitment to sustainable farming practices and the purity of their offerings. With this color, Gir Organic’s brand identity became a reflection of the serene, fertile lands where their dairy farming flourished.

On the other hand, Marigold Yellow burst forth like rays of sunshine, radiating warmth, joy, and celebration. Almost like the vibrancy of life! The radiant hue symbolized the close connection between the brand and the Gir Cows, showcasing a deep appreciation for nature’s gifts and the importance of sustainable farming practices. Where many might think the choice of color depended on Yellow’s high visibility and attention-grabbing element alone, it wasn’t merely so. If you know India, and its history, you know it is known for its colors and that is exactly why we chose Marigold
yellow to pay homage to the cultural symbolism.

source: Pantone Color Chart and Color Matters

Together, Nile Green and Marigold Yellow danced in harmony, creating a powerful visual identity that spoke volumes about Gir Organic’s ethos.

So did we do it?

Were all these shenanigans of actual use?

The launch of their premium A2 Ghee in Nile Green and Marigold Yellow packaging was a huge success, with sales topping more than INR 25,00,000 in just a year. The change was more than just a stroke of artistic genius; it was testimony of the power of branding. We did a pretty good job!

Branding acts as a guiding light in the competitive world of business, where various options compete for consumer attention. It recounts the story of the company’s essence by cohesively creating a lasting narrative.

So, let this chromatic saga serve as a beacon of inspiration to all aspiring brands and visionaries — for within the trove of colors lies a world of endless opportunities, waiting to be explored and harnessed. With color as their ally, businesses can paint their dreams into reality and leave an indelible mark that can transcend the boundaries of language and culture, creating a global impact.

In other words, color can make or break your brand. Choose with caution!

Resources that might interest you:

  1. Color Psychology
  2. Cultural Implication of Color
  3. Pantone Color Chart

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