Color is perception. It plays a role in creating and influencing certain moods, conveying certain information, and even impacting people’s decisions.
Color Psychology
Color psychology studies how colors affect our perception, behavior, and decision-making. Different colors have different meanings, intents, and psychological effects that differ across locations and cultures. Along with cultural differences, color psychology is largely influenced by personal preference, as well as established common practices (like “green” for profit gain and “red” for loss, for example)
Color psychology also uses color theory to explore different concepts like color perception and the color combination of various hues.
Psychology of Color in Business
Part of the business plan of any enterprise, be it a small start-up or a large-scale corporation, is their branding and what it conveys to their consumers.
Effective color usage is not the only way to make your brand stand out from others. But it can do miracles if applied correctly.
Here’s what you need to know about using color effectively in your business.
- Understanding what Color Theory is
The Color theory explains how humans discern color and the visual effects of when colors mix, match, and contrast.
Color theory encompasses many concepts and applications. However, the main idea here is to combine colors that match, and avoid combinations that might be unpleasant for the eye.
Color Harmony
In visual experiences, harmony is something the eye finds pleasing, engaging the viewer and creating an inner sense of order and balance.
Color harmony is a dynamic balance that delivers visual interest and a sense of order. Just like a DJ changes the rhythm slowly, the same thing should be applied here.
Do not insert colors that don’t go well together. For example, green and yellow is a horrible combination which can put users off. Try to find visually appealing combinations that customers would like.
Color Context
A complex area of color theory is how color reacts with other colors and shapes.
The starting point for understanding the relativity of colors is observing the effects colors have on each other.
Our perception of color can be noticeably impacted by the relationship of saturations, values, and the coolness or warmth of respective hues.
- Seek Inspiration
Sometimes you can feel stuck on what colors can work when considering using colors intentionally.
It may help to look at your surroundings for inspiration: nature, fabrics, architecture, finding a job, or even paintings are great sources.
Make sure these colors align with what feeling you’re trying to evoke.
So when considering colors for your marketing and branding, ask yourself, “Is this color appropriate for what I’m selling?”
Noticing how a color palette works in design and the natural world will also be helpful.
- Know the meaning behind the color
Colors exude emotion, enhancing your message or distracting from it. Understanding the meaning behind your chosen colors can influence your message.
Be sure to consider your color combinations, too, as too much or too little contrast can affect your efforts.
Current market trends can also influence the meaning of color; this reflects current cultural shifts and growing habits.
These color trends influence various market aspects, including fashion, architecture, and even food.
- Maintain Consistency
The more consistent you become with your colors, the easier it will become for people to identify your brand in the long run.
A good principle is to choose two to four colors to symbolize your brand differently. Concentrate on one to two of your colors to make your central brand colors, such as backgrounds and logos, and use the others as accents.
Choosing the right colors can help differentiate your brand from competitors.
How to choose the right colors?
Via embracing blockchain technology and AI, you could stand out from competitors. While Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency to enter the world, XRP is currently one of the best payment solutions on the market. One of the reasons users buy XRP and use it for transactions is the choice of colors in its design. Surely, timely transactions and negligible fees matter a lot but picking the right color for your industry and niche matters even more than you’ve imagined.
Conclusion
In business and marketing jobs the color of psychology is focused on how every nuance could influence the consumers’ perception of a brand and whether or not they can evoke a reaction strong enough to persuade the consumer to consider the brand or make a purchase.
Over the years, each industry has set up its standards for business colors, and not adhering to the common standards would be detrimental.
The choice of color in business logos, website design, advertising, or brand signage can influence consumers to choose a product or service over competitors or even buy impulsively.
And if you wonder about your brand design and have no inspiration – don’t worry. Just stick with the safest, “boring” option. You can’t go wrong with it.
