The Power of the Color Red

DECEMBER 6, 2022| lkirkham

A Color That Invokes Extreme Feeling

Color has a strong impact on each and every one of us, even if we don’t realize it.  With an understanding of the impact of color, you can make your audience feel a certain way, this understanding is known as Color Theory.  According to Color Theory, one of the most striking colors is Red, but it’s also comes with a high-risk.

Why Red is a Great Color to Use

Red is a great color to use when you understand exactly what feelings it invokes.  It creates a feeling of Strength, Power, Passion, and Love.  This is why you often times see the use of it in a high energy environment such as a gym.  Subconsciously, every single person in the gym is being effected by the color around them.  It is often associated with Valentine’s Day, because it produces a feeling of Love and Passion.  If your brand is trying to portray these feelings it’s a great choice for you.

Red when used sparingly can be very striking and eye-catching.  In a study done by HubSpot, they showed that a Red call to action (CTA) button outperformed a green CTA button by over 20%.  Nothing except the color of the button was changed, and yet there was an obvious increase in traction.  This is another example of the effects of the color red.

Strangely enough this color can also trigger appetite, which is why a lot of the big food brands choose a red-heavy color scheme.  McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King all use red in their branding.  This is likely because over years and years of research they noticed the effects of the color red.

Red demands attention.  That’s why a lot of street signs use the color, such as the STOP sign.  When you’re out on a drive, there is a lot to see, but you can never miss that striking red on the side of the street.  It demands your attention, and demands you listen to it.

Why Red is a Bad Color to Use

Along with red being a color that promotes strong positive feelings, it can also invoke some negative feelings.  Anxious feelings can be brought to the surface, and leave you feeling a bit unnerved.  Red is also the color of anger.  When people are really angry they often describe it as “seeing red.’  If your company or business wants to promote tranquility, kindness, or obedience; Red might not be the color for you.

This idea can be seen in hospitals.  Although they are often associated with being a place of sadness or high anxiety, you’ll never see one painted red.  Rather, they are white.  Which promotes peace and cleanliness.  A hospital, although it may inherently be a stressful place, it does not want to harbor those negative feelings.

Same applies for an office, you don’t want an office full of subconsciously anxious workers.  You want them happy, creative, and productive.  However, a blank-boring white office can have negative effects as well.

Conclusion

Red is a risky color to use, it can create an environment of anxiety and put everyone on-edge.  However, when it’s used with a proper understanding of Color Theory it can the perfect option for your business.  Red is a strong color and can be visually striking and eye-catching when used well.

Understanding Color Theory is important for any business.  How are you using Color Theory to your benefit?  How could you be using it better in the future?