15 of the most recognizable brand color schemes
Some of the most popular brands in the world connect with their audiences because of the color scheme they have. They took the time to analyze the competition and fully understood the assignment of being able to stand out on their own. These brands got it right. Here are some of the most recognizable and their color schemes.
Fedex
Fedex makes great use of three primary colors. Deep purple, orange, and white. It works because the color combination is striking and in your face.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp’s use of yellow and black is recognizable and blends well with their mascot. It also brings out happy feelings while showcasing their strength in the industry. The colors are amicable and complimentary for marketing.
Mastercard
Mastercard makes good use of bright colors in its analogous palette. They have different shades of orange that move into red, then yellow, and then different shades of green. They were very strategic in choosing these colors because orange is associated with happiness and energy. Although they deal with finances, orange helps people wish they could do better in their finances.
Hewlett Packard
Hewlett Packard uses cool colors well. Although they have peach, yellow, purple, and green, their colors are used wisely to make their audience feel secure which is very important when dealing with online functionality. Timeless, yet modern, their colors have a huge impact.
Miami Dolphins
This football team has one of the most recognizable color palettes on the market. The teal, darker blue, and orange is striking but work because of the muted tone with the bright color.
NBC
NBC has a rainbow scheme that introduces color to its viewers. This represents their mission of bringing a variety of programs and shows to their network for all viewers.
Dunkin’
Tried and true, they used bright orange and bright pink to make a statement. The colors are distinguished and bright to serve as a pick-me-up in the mornings, which was their original intent.
Best Buy
Although Best Buy rebranded somewhat, its color scheme is timeless. That bright blue and yellow offset by the white can’t be denied. They used to have a black outline around their text and price tag which is no longer there but the integrity of what they stand for is still the same.
Panera Bread
Panera Bread is recognizable miles away because its color palette is so distinctive. Paired with their fonts, it works well on their website and every other communication dealing with their brand.
Pampers
Pampers has been around for a very long time. Their use of warm and cool colors works because the yellow and orange grabs attention and are seen as being friendly, while the variation of green/blue (aqua) is security, trust, and nature.
Harley-Davidson
You can’t miss the Harley-Davidson color palette. The bright orange is for excitement, with the black and white adding a daring and dramatic appeal.
Hello Fresh
This food subscription box hit their color palette right on the nail. Green is for nature, fresh, wholesome, and vibrancy. Their use of bright greens in different shades, accented with white, is a good color scheme for those brands that want to be associated with eco-friendliness.
Reese’s
Reese’s pieces anyone? This color scheme is different, but it really works. The deep bright orange coupled with the yellow and brown resonates with their audience who see happiness, excitement, something that tastes good, and is reliable.
Airtable
Again, the use of primary colors can’t be denied. The red, blue, and mustard colors are distinctive but each one plays into what the brand conveys. Security, excitement, and optimism that the software delivers.
Burger King
It’s often said that red also makes you hungry. There are many food places that use red, like Wendy’s McDonalds (as an accent), and Pizza Hut. Burger King’s palette is beautiful, with red, bright blue, and muted colors of yellow and orange. All these colors work together to provide trust, excitement, happiness, and more.
There are some companies that choose to have red as their color along with white or gray and that’s it. BuzzFeed, Coca-Cola, Beats by Dre, Airbnb, ESPN, Ferrari, KitKat, and Pinterest are some that use this one color as their base very well. The only other color is neutral, but for these, it works.