The Power of Color: Red

How important is the color RED

The Power of color. Red. This red stop sign is very important in the world. The power and importance of RED is everywhere in every nation. It stands for passion, anger, love amongst other emotions

 

First up: The Power of Color. Red. In the first article of this series I spoke about the physical and psychological effects of color. Therefore, I will now explore the meanings and associations behind a number of the most commonly used colors. A good idea to do this is to take the rainbow as a guide, we will begin with the color red.

 

First of all, red light mostly consists of the longest wavelengths that the human eye can perceive. Surprisingly long and with the result that it makes it highly visible from a distance. Hence its perfect use in warning signs. Furthermore, it has also been found to provoke the strongest physical reaction than other colors. Above all, causing an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.Pretty amazing that a color can actually do that right?

 

In other words, if you really want to grab someone’s attention, using the color red is a good way to go about it. Remembering that any attention is still attention. 

 

The power of red is demonstrated in nature and in animals as well. It can scare predators to attract females for mating.

Furthermore, in the animal kingdom red is the color of dominance. Therefore, many animals use red as a way of attracting mates or as a threat display to rivals or predators. Another interesting fact is that Red’s ancient association with blood has led to its connection with aggression, violence and war. Here I was thinking red was all about love. 

 

The Power of the Color Red and the World of Sports

One more example of the power of color, the red, is that many sports teams have taken advantage of this association by wearing red uniforms. An interesting fact as they may also be responding to the idea that red has a positive psychological effect on physical performance.

 

Sports team use the power of color red to show that they can dominate and are the strongest players. Here is a football player running, looking strong in red uniform.

 

Furthermore, the connections with blood and fertility have also meant that red has come to represent love and passion. The power of color Red is sexy. For instance, psychologists have found that men find women who are wearing red to be more attractive. After all, red roses are considered a particularly romantic gift.

 

The color Red has different meanings in different cultures

More importantly, red is also the color of energy and excitement, hence in China red is typically used at times of celebration. I would recommend reading and learning more psychology of colors.

 

Another fine example is, in India red is the color of purity, and a bride will invariably wear a red sari or lehenga choli on her big day, heavily embroidered with gold. There the power of color in this case red is also associated with beauty. 

An Indian girl looking dreamingly down, symbolizing purity. The power of color, especially red means different things in different cultures.

 

While many cultures associate red with life, there are those who see it as the color of death.

 

More extreme facts perhaps, the Red Lady of Paviland (actually a young male) was found in a cave in South Wales in 1823. The remains were 33,000 years old and had been covered in red ochre at the time of burial. However, in Nigeria and the Côte d’Ivoire red is the colour of mourning. Therefore, the power of color Red symbolises sadness in this case.  Read this interesting case study Storty of chow tai fook

 

Ultimately red is all about extremes. It represents intensity of emotion, spirituality and action. Therefore, this is no doubt why red is such a popular power of color for company logo design and advertising. Food and drink brands in particular are fond of the color. Let’s consider another famous brand like Coca-cola which in 1931 dressed Santa Claus in their signature colour, and the rest is history.

 

Coca-cola and the famous red Santa calls. The power of color, in this case red is easy to spot as it stands for power, dominance and strength in this case but not in all cultures.

 

TLC clients that have used the power of the color red in their logos

 

At The Logo Company we have designed a number of logos where the client has specified the use of red. These are of course just examples of the power of color, red: 

 Fast & Fresh Foods, The really fun looking colorful bottles in red, blue fives a light hearted and powerful impression. Food logo design

Piracy Control Technology. Here the P is like the forbidden to park sign but in black and red making it very clear that the company will successfully work with piracy control

 

In conclusion, the red in these logos grabs the attention and reflects the nature of the businesses they represent. Making it above all the true power of color. Anyhow who does not love red?

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