How to choose the perfect logo colour for a brand

Four examples of successful logo colours
(Image credit: Woolmark / McDonald's / BP / Cadbury)

If you're trying to choose the right logo colour for your next project, there's a lot to consider. The psychology of colour plays a pivotal role in building a brand association, whether you’re crafting a symbol-based logo or a wordmark. Not only do different colours provoke different emotions, but the combinations of colours used can have specific effects, too. 

The world's biggest brands are very aware of how important their logo colours are, from Cadbury's ownership of specific shade of purple to brands using green to appear more environmentally conscious. Below, we offer five tips to help you successfully use colour theory in your logo design work. If you'd like to learn to help guide your choice of the right logo colour, see our guide to colour theory. For more general advice, see our pieces on how to design a logo design and steps for creating better logos.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

TOPICS
Nick Carson
Brand writer and consultant

Nick has worked with world-class agencies including Wolff Olins, Taxi Studio and Vault49 on brand storytelling, tone of voice and verbal strategy for global brands such as Virgin, TikTok, and Bite Back 2030. Nick launched the Brand Impact Awards in 2013 while editor of Computer Arts, and remains chair of judges. He's written for Creative Bloq on design and branding matters since the site's launch.

With contributions from
Read more
Papercut diagrams showing aspects of colour theory
Why colour is such a powerful tool in UX design
Photograph of a printed book of fonts showing different styles and weights.
The psychology of fonts: how fonts make you feel
McDonald's billboard
From McDonald's to Kellogg's: Why are so many brands ditching their logo?
Adidas/Coca-Cola/Shell/Wendy's/NBC/New York Yankees logos
Logo vs icon: what's the difference?
Jaguar logo
The year in logos: 2024 was both pivotal and controversial
Apple logo
The 10 best logos of all time
Latest in Logos & Icons
Microsoft To Do
People have some Very Strong Opinions on the Microsoft To Do icons
Clippers logos old vs new
New LA Clippers logo is an instant classic
WLCO logo design
This hip neighbourhood's logo is totally loopy, but I love it
The superman logo as based on a potential design from Superman: Legacy
Possible new Superman logo divides fans
Lyle's Golden Syrup and Lyles Black Treacle tins showing the lion logo
Lyle's apologises for its Golden Syrup logo redesign as even the church expresses dismay
Steve Jobs and the Google logo
Apparently Steve Jobs hated the Google logo on his iPhone
Latest in Advice
Pietro Chiovaro Blender T-shirt tutorial
How to make a T-shirt in Blender
Paul Hatton KeyShot tutorial
Follow my KeyShot and Photoshop advice for perfect renders every time
Mike Griggs 3D teamwork tutorial
4 tips to make your collaborative art projects run smoothly
Glen Southern Nomad Sculpt tutorial
Learn this clever hack to create CG smoke and fog effects on an iPad
Artist sketchbook tips; a man sits on a stool in a street painting into a sketchbook
Sketchbook watercolour tips from illustrator Jason Chan P.L.
Photograph of a man moving a pile of independent magazines around a warmly lit shop.
10 brilliant indie magazines, as picked by the experts