We may not always understand the science behind it, but we do know that we are deeply affected by colour. As emotional beings, we react to colours on a subconscious level, with different colours bringing out a complex variety of feelings.
As one of the most intense and evocative colours on the spectrum, when should we use red in advertising?
Red in Advertising
The colour red has been linked to danger, excitement, and love.
As you can imagine then, it’s a perfect choice when you want to stimulate your audience and catch their attention. When a retail outlet is having a sale, what colour are you most likely to see – yes, a fiery, attention-grabbing red.
If you’re aiming to invoke any of these feelings, then red will be your go-to:
- Passion
- Excitement
- Determination
- Courage
- Danger
- Energy
Knowing that red is the most likely colour to spur your audience to action, makes it an excellent choice for Buy Now buttons or calls to action that require an immediate and positive response.
On the colour wheel, we see variations of red which tend to intensify or soften the message. For example, lightening a red shade to lean towards pink will change a passionate message to a romantic and feminine one.
Darkening the shade and taking it towards maroon will take a bright and exciting tone into something angrier and more masculine.
Further into the brown shades, however, soften the red and give a feeling of stability and dependability.
Certainly, your signage and advertising should convey your brand and your message, but the smart use of colour can turn a sensible sign into something that evokes a positive and emotional response from your audience.
Chat with the professionals here at Signkor for more valuable information on getting the absolute best out of your signage and business advertising.
