Do you want to try and create your own logo? Maybe you just want to know what colours tend to look good together so that you can make the most out of the options you have, while also being able to create a striking logo that looks great for years to come. Either way, this is the guide for you.
A lot of people go into the process of designing their own logo, thinking it’ll be a simple and easy process. After all, if you look at the logos from the major brands out there, you will soon see that they are all very basic.
That being said, they are instantly recognisable, and they stand out. The main point to take from this is that simplicity is a very difficult thing to get right. It is often stated that perfection is achieved when there is nothing left to take away, as opposed to having nothing else to add.
In other words, to achieve simplicity in your brand’s logo design, you have to create something that conveys information, without being overly complex.
When you have a brand story, it can be difficult not to overcomplicate things. If you look at Volkswagen, you will soon see that their logo is both clever and easy to imagine. Most people can draw it from memory. Their original logo was once called “one of the most complex and distracting logos” to be created.
Look below to see some of the most popular logo colour combinations and why they’re so successful.
Yellow and Red
Chupa Chups
Burger King
McDonald’s
This bold combination really draws your eye in, and the striking red really pops against the yellow. This creates a sense of energy and a strong feeling of playfulness. This is why a lot of restaurants opt for this colour scheme.
Purple and White
Twitch
Cadbury
BENQ
This bold combination really draws your eye in, and the striking red really pops against the yellow. This creates a sense of energy and a strong feeling of playfulness. This is why a lot of restaurants opt for this colour scheme.
Blue and White
HP
Samsung
Twitter
Blue and white is a very, very popular colour combination. The colours help to express both trust and clarity. It is also very flexible, with non-profit charities to big tech companies and health organisations using it. White helps to create negative space, which highlights the design.
Red and White
Heinz
Canon
Coca Cola
Red is a colour that is both exciting and energising. It works best when paired with something more neutral. Sporting brands to retail spaces often adopt this colour combination.
However, with so many combinations available when creating your brand’s logo, there are some rules that should be adhered to when it comes to design. Here’s what you should avoid when designing your brand’s logo.
Too Many Colours: If you have too many colours in your logo designs, then you may find that you end up confusing your viewers. A good rule is to have no more than three colours.
Saturation: Multi-colour logos tend to combine different colours of the same intensity. This can be overpowering.
Green and Red: Green and red should also be avoided as it can affect those with colour blindness.
Copyrighted Colours:Some colours are protected by companies. Tiffany Blue is a prime example of this.
Here you’ll find the best four colours to be used in logo design, and what industries they suit.
Red: Red is one of the four primary colours. It is a universal symbol of excitement, passion and anger. It’s very popular in branding and most suited to brands that are loud, young, playful and bold.
Red is attractive and powerful, not to mention that it suits the health, beauty, entertainment and food industries. It grabs attention, and if you target the right market, it’ll draw people right to you.
Green: Green represents harmony. It also pushes themes that include plentiful, renewable, healthy and natural. Green is normally adopted by companies who are conscious about the environment or those who focus on agriculture, landscaping, recycling and gardening.
Solar power is another prime example of how this colour could be incorporated well. It gives a very calming effect, and it also represents growth.
Blue: Blue emits loyalty and professionalism. It is often used to create a strong sense of security, but it also emits trust. This colour is used primarily by those who work in software, the pharmaceutical industry, finance and banks. Governments also frequently adopt this colour.
Black: Black is considered to be absent from all colours, but it can be powerful to incorporate. Black is seen as a symbol of seriousness and professionalism. If used correctly it can also be used to emit substance, power and elegance.
So now you should have a good idea of what colours are going to do the most for your brand logo, and what colours you should be avoiding. If you’re still on the fence, why not hire our graphic design experts.
We can create a logo that suits your company well, not to mention that we can also help to give your brand a personality. We are well-versed in colour theory, which takes the guesswork out of your logo creation process.
