Designing with Blue

Ever noticed there are a lot of blue logos out there? Blue is one of the most popular colors used in corporate branding, and no wonder: in marketing, the color blue conveys safety and stability, engendering customer trust. You’ll see technology, banking, automotive and health industries using blue in their brands.

Let’s look at the positives and negatives of using blue for your brand:

POSITIVES

• Because we’re surrounded by blue in nature (the sky, water) – blue is calming and familiar. It also conveys a certain seriousness in business.
• While you’ll compete with other blue-branded companies, the close association will also gain you credibility.
• You’ll have your pick from a huge variety of blues. Think teal, aqua, navy, royal, sky blue – the options are endless.
• Blue pairs beautifully with oranges and greens.

NEGATIVES

• Blue can come across as cold and unfeeling.
• Avoid using blue for food products, as blue is rare in natural foods.
• Some tones of blue ink do not dry completely when printed (we’re looking at you, Reflex Blue), so that on printed pieces it can actually rub off or scuff.
• If you want a blue logo, find a complementary warm or hot color to use with it in marketing materials; it will give the blue even more emphasis.