Aug 302 min read

COLOUR PSYCHOLOGY IS BULLSH*T

Have you ever been told that red shows passion and anger and blue brings a sense of calm and serenity?

If that’s the case, are we to believe that THIS BRAND looks raging in nature?

Or that THIS brand is bringing a sense of calm?

I’m here to call bullshit on colour psychology because so many myths around colours are stopping business owners from STANDING OUT.

You think Ayurveda, you go for green.

You think of a burger brand, you pick Red.

You think of a toddler brand, you pick light blue/pink.

And by doing just that, you’re making yourself more like your competition. This is a mistake most business owners, especially DIY branded businesses, make because they take inspiration from their competition and end up creating a product that looks like a knockoff. No offence!

Let’s Fix That, Shall We?

Here are 4 things you need to keep in mind when finding right colours for your business:

Know Your Audience, Not Just Theories

Sure, there are general colour associations, but your audience might have unique cultural or personal preferences. Research your target market and understand what colours resonate with them on a deeper level.

You see how the exact same colour has been used for both the funeral and a wedding in here? It works because different people assign different emotions to colours. Some cultures see it as a colour of mourning, some don't!

To the left: A couple dressed in black looking at each other. To the right: A man and a woman attending a funeral dressed in black.

Brand Personality Over General Psychology

Focus on your brand’s personality. Is it playful, serious, luxurious, or down-to-earth? Choose colours that reflect your brand’s unique vibe rather than sticking to what a textbook says.

While most brands chose pastel colours to show a clean skincare brand, we used these vibrant colours aesthetically to make the brand stand out.

Stand Out From The Crowd

If everyone in your industry is using the same colour palette, it’s time to break free. Don’t be afraid to choose bold, unconventional colours that will make your brand memorable.

Dove packaging and identity design vs LUSH packaging and identity design

Here you can see how Typical skin/Haircare brands do their branding vs LUSH in its bold and graphic avatar.

Consistency Is Key

Whatever colours you choose, stick with them across all your branding materials. Consistency builds recognition and trust. Your audience should instantly recognize your brand by its colours.

All packaging Design created for Rose Bar - A fine dine restaurant and bar based in Colombo

In conclusion, don’t let outdated notions of colour psychology dictate your brand’s identity. Be bold, be different, and most importantly, be true to your brand’s unique personality. The world doesn’t need another clone; it needs you and your distinctive vision.

And if you are ready to bring life into that vision, I have 2 slots available each in Full Spectrum Branding and One Concept Branding. You can contact me here.

Looking forward to creating a bomb branding for you.

OK BYEEE!