Several years ago, I had a client approve the design of a new logo, but wanted options for colors… The options covered every conceivable combination, and they ultimately chose based on their personal preferences. And that begged the question:

Does Color Choice Matter?

Well, no, yes, and sometimes.

No:
For all the many sites detailing the psychological reactions to different colors, the fact is that color preferences are subjective and the data says color choice will not directly effect — eg, manipulate — the perception of a brand.

Yes:
What does matter is how audiences view the appropriateness of a color for a particular brand/product. Think of it this way: does Harley Davidson’s logo colors make you feel cool and tough; or were they chosen to represent coolness and toughness? Would the logo still work with pink and glitter sparkles?

Maybe:
There are other uses of color in a brand (that are not specifically related to logo) that can — and do — effect the audience. Color can be used in various immersive experiences like interior design, application design, virtual reality, video presentations, and more to control appetite, adjust moods, and even alter the perception of time (making waiting/loading/tedium seem shorter and easier).

Consistency Counts

One area with zero ambiguity is this: color consistency is vital to any successful brand presentation. Consistency increases recognition of brands, and lack of consistency is detrimental. “[Even] subtle changes in color schemes, distribution, and arrangement can influence both sales, brand loyalty, conversion, and reliability.”

Final Thoughts

The colors you choose are important, both for your logo and for your extended materials. And while a mark’s color itself may not provoke a reaction, it does need to represent the brand perfectly in order to resonate with the market.