Have you noticed that the most recognized logos have a color associated with their brand? Starbucks is green. Coke is red. IBM is blue. These companies understand that proper use of color can create a memorable brand. Color can be used to convey a message which represents your business like no other form of communication. Selecting the right colors for your brand is one of the most important ways you can ensure your marketing material creates a positive image to your customers. Selecting the correct base color is crucial. This color needs to be on all of your marketing material. This color needs to be in your logo and website and any print material that you use. You should research what your base color means to your advertising market and industry. Many psychologists have their suggestions of universal meaning of particular colors. Red
Red increases the pulse and heart rate, and raises your blood pressure. It increases the appetite by increasing your metabolism, which is why red is such a popular color in restaurants. It is very aggressive and outspoken. Red is the color of energy. It's associated with movement and excitement. It calls people to action. A retail chain found that people moved through lines faster and purchased more impulse items when they increased the use of red near the check-out lines.
Blue
Blue is considered to be calming and safe. It has become associated with steadfastness, dependability, wisdom and loyalty. You will notice that many uniforms are blue. People tend to perform better at their work when located in a blue room because they are more focused on the task and hand. Blue is popular with financial institutions because it states a message of trust and stability.
Black
Black is the color of power and authority. It is associated with class and intelligence. Black is a serious color that evokes strong emotions. It is also associated with death and grieving. It is important not to overuse black which can sometimes be associated with evil.
White
White is the color of purity, holiness, cleanliness and safety. It is the compression of all the colors in the color spectrum. White catches the eye in marketing material. White is often used with health related and infant products. Weddings Gowns are traditionally white to show purity.
Green
Green is the color of money and growth. It is a calming color that is associated with good luck, nature, fertility, and energy conservation. It is a masculine color that is commonly used with financial institutions because it states the message of wealth and support.
Orange
Orange is the color of fun, happy and energetic days. It is the color of the sun. It is often used with toys and entertainment products. Orange is associated with beginnings and is considered the most flamboyant color on the planet.
Brown
Brown is the color of friendship and earth. It is considered stable, natural and organic. It can be overused and mistook for dirty. It is often associated with reliability and utility.
Purple
Purple is the color of royalty that is associated with wealth, prosperity, rich sophistication. This color stimulates the brain activity used in problem solving and creativity. This color is popular for products marketed toward young adolescent girls and is usually combined with pink.
Pink
Pink is the calm version of red. It is considered youthful, fun and exciting. It is often associated with romance and feminine. It is often used with toys for girls, sweets, and medical products gears towards women.
Yellow
Yellow is the cheerful color of the sun, associated with laughter and happiness. It causes the brain to release more serotonin with makes you feel good and positive. It is commonly associated with optimism but be careful not to overuse. It can have the negative effect of increasing tempers and suggesting fire. It is an attention getter and the more golden shades can increase sales with the suggestion of better times.  Once you choose your base color you need to decide if you are going to go with a more monochromatic color scheme by using shades of a single color, or more of a complimentary color scheme by using contrasting colors which are directly opposite from each other on the color wheel. (Mixing a cool and warm color)
Remember your brand is the first flash of color seen on your marketing material. It is important to remember that color is the first thing registered by a person viewing your print or web media. If it is pleasing to the viewer they will continue to read your marketing material. If it is displeasing you will lose your potential client in a second. Remember to keep in mind the meaning and psychology of the color representing your business and product lines.
If you are interested in learning how Your Computer Solutions Inc. can help build your marketing materials or web presence please visit our website at www.yourcomputersolutions.net or call the office at 407-826-0810 and let one of our graphic designers see how we can help increase the productivity of your marketing dollar.
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