Colors in marketing

I looked into the psychological side of how colors are used in marketing and how they influence people. In a survey 93% of people said that they focus on the visuals of a product when buying it, and 85% claim color is a primary reason when they make a purchase.

Red- This creates a sense of urgency, so it is often used for clearance sales. It also encourages appetite, so it is used frequently by fast-food chains, an example of this would be KFC. It can also physically stimulate the body, by raising blood pressure and heart-rate, which is associated with movement, excitement and passion.

Blue- Is associated with peace, water, tranquility and reliability. It provides a sense of security, curbs appetite, and stimulates productivity. So it is commonly used by brands that want to promote trust in their products, such as the technology company HP.

Green- Commonly associated with health, tranquility, power, and nature. Is used in stores to relax customers and for promoting environmental issues, such as in the coffee shop Starbucks it is used to relax customers. Green stimulates harmony in your brain and encourages a balance leaning to decisiveness.

Purple- Associated with royalty, wisdom, respect, and creativity. Stimulates problem solving as well as creativity. Often used to promote beauty and anti-aging products, such as the beauty company Urban Decay.

Orange & Yellow- Cheerful colours that promote optimism. However they both can trigger a sense of caution, so is used to create a sense of anxiety that can draw in impulse buyers and window shoppers. For instance the company Ikea, or fast-food places such as McDonalds or Subway.

Black- Associated with authority, power, stability, and strength. Often a symbol of intelligence, however can be overwhelming if used frequently. An example of this is Uber use it to show stability.

Grey- Symbolizes feelings of practicality, old age, and solidarity. Too much grey can however lead to feelings of nothingness and depression. For instance the company Samsung are promoting the feelings of practicality.

White- Is associated with purity, cleanliness, and safety. Can be used to show neutrality. White space helps spark creativity, since it is perceived as a clean state. An example of this is Apple, they use white to show that their products are clean and simple to use, but also safe.