I want to talk about something that makes my designer heart skip a beat: the magic of colour in branding.
Imagine your brand as a blank canvas—colour is the brushstroke that breathes life into it. But it's not just about picking pretty hues; it's about understanding the psychology behind them and how they can make your brand sing (or dance, depending on your vibe).
Subscribe to my exclusive content for in-depth tips on colours, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my design process. Together, we'll create brands that are visually appealing and resonate with your audience.
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Colour: It's Everywhere!
We live in a world of colour. It's in the sunlight that warms our skin, the flowers that brighten our day, and even in the dreams we have at night. But it's more than just eye candy; colour evokes emotions, memories, and even influences our decisions. Think about it—bold red evokes confidence, while calming blue suggests tranquillity. Colour speaks volumes, even when we don't realise it.
"Colour is a power which directly influences the soul."
- Wassily Kandinsky
Wright on the Money: Angela Wright's Colour Genius
Angela Wright discovered that there's a method to the colour madness. She found that light, the source of all colour, profoundly connects to human behaviour. In 1984, she introduced the Colour Affects System, proving that our reactions to colour aren't random but triggered by specific combinations that tap into our emotions.
Colour Lingo 101
Before we dive deeper, let's get our colour vocab on point:
Hue: The name of the colour (red, blue, etc.).
Tint: A hue plus a splash of white (like baby pink).
Shade: A hue with a touch of black (like navy blue).
Tone: A hue mixed with grey (like dusty rose).
Value: How light or dark a colour is.
Chroma: The intensity or saturation of a colour (like neon versus pastel).
Branding with a Pop of Colour
Picking brand colours isn't just about aesthetics. It's strategic. Want your brand to feel trustworthy? Think blue. Need to evoke excitement? Red's your go-to. The right colours can make your brand memorable, relatable, and irresistible.
Colour Affects System: Your Brand's Secret Weapon
Angela Wright's system isn't just about individual colours; it's about how they work together, like a colour symphony, where each hue plays a part in creating a harmonious brand experience.
Seasonal Colour Palettes: Spice Up Your Brand
The Colour Affects System considers how seasons influence our colour preferences. Tailor your brand's colour palette to match the vibe of each season:
Spring: Fresh pastels like blush pink, mint green, and butter yellow—great for florists and bakeries.
Summer: Cool shades of blue, lavender, and turquoise—perfect for vacation rentals and ice cream shops.
Autumn: Warm, earthy tones like burnt orange, olive green, and golden yellow—ideal for outdoor brands and coffee shops.
Winter: Bold, icy hues like royal blue, deep red, and crisp white—excellent for tech and fashion brands.
Ready to Colour Your Brand?
Here's what you can expect to learn and put into action:
Define Your Brand's Vibe: What emotions do you want to evoke?
Study Up: Learn the basics of colour psychology. I'll guide you over the coming weeks.
Create Your Palette: Pick hues that match your brand's personality and goals. I’ll dive into the four personalities and share some great resources for colour exploration.
Join the Colour Revolution!
Subscribe to Brand Colour Confidence my exclusive content for in-depth tips on colours, tutorials, and behind-the-scenes peeks into my design process. Together, we'll create brands that are visually appealing and resonate with your audience.
Great article! I really enjoyed reading it and definitely learned something new.
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Thank you. Emma and Dave. 🙏