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PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND BRAND LOGOS WITH BLACK COLOR

Color has an enormous psychological influence on human brain and is the most powerful visual cue for drawing attention.

By akhil malkapuramPublished 5 years ago 2 min read
Brands with Black Logo

Brand that uses logos in black are usually secure and deep-rooted. They don’t feel a need to call a lot of attention to themselves. They may believe that their reputation speaks for them and they don’t need colors to convey their power, stability, and value.

Black is powerful color used to represent sophistication, elegance, and luxury. Being associated with many high-end brands, the color black can also be considered intimidating and unapproachable. Because black is often associated with strength, discipline, seriousness, protection and confidence, it is also a popular choice for athletic companies.

Black suggests power, authority, seriousness and presents itself as very modern and polished. It's often the choice for well-established technology and information giants. When used in packaging, black can create a powerful and impressive effect, even making product seem more stylish or luxurious.

Research have found that brand recognition can be significantly increased by up to 80% through effective use of branding colors. Brand color themes should be strategically chosen as each color leaves a subconscious impression on consumer based on their underlying color psychology.

Color black is associated with – prestige, powerful, luxurious, dominance, bold, authority, mystery, tradition.

According to physics, black is not a color because it doesn't have specific wavelength because it is considered the absence of all light. Some colors like pink, macaroni, and cheese, none of them have wavelengths. But we still consider them as colors.

According to Jennifer Aaker, a psychologist and professor at Stanford. A brand personality has five dimensions. sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication, and ruggedness.

Black is a popular choice for many high-end luxury brands. Black logos work well for companies like Gucci, Chanel, Michael Kors, Coach, Cartier, and Prada.

Information and technology brands like Apple, Sony, Motorola, the New York Times, ABC, BBC, and others have consistently used black logos over the years.

Black is popular choice for athletic companies like Nike, Under Armour, Adidas, and Puma.

Some brands have used black color successfully in their branding and marketing.

1. Tiffany & Co

Tiffany is more universally known for its “Tiffany Blue”, It also used black in its logo to show simplicity and luxury.

2. Apple

Apple used black logo to implies innovation and bold thinking.

3. Gillette

Gillette’s use of black strikes to be viewed as strong and hardworking.

4. Chanel

Chanel is similar to the usage in the Tiffany logo. This logo is bold luxury. Which is consistent with the brand’s values.

5. Playboy

The use of black in playboy’s logo is extremely interesting and mysterious.

6. WWF

The WWF logo is formal and always remain modern.

7. Nike

Nike logo is powerful and modern.

8. THE NEW YORK TIMES

The New York Times logo is timeless and traditional.

9. Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton logo is luxurious, powerful and bold.

10. MTV

MTV logo is slightly abstract design of letter MTV.

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