The color in you

If like me, you have a sweet tooth, you know all too well about those moments when every ounce of your being is overwhelmed by the desire to taste chocolate or bite into a spongy cake. If you’re a smoker or a coffee drinker, you’re no doubt familiar with the strong cravings that take over your mind and you can’t think of anything else till you’re crying craving is pacified. Cravings often arise at the oddest times in the most peculiar places, and I can’t help wonder what sets them off.

After stumbling across a couple of articles about branding and colors, I believe our subconscious minds control almost all of our behavior.

Ever wondered why you can’t resist that extra sundae at McDonalds, even if you’re so full you’re about to burst? Blame it on the logo’s colors. 

Exposure to the color red is proven to stimulate your appetite. The yellow ‘M” makes you feel happy and warm. Surrounded by the famous ‘M’ and the fast food chain’s red thatched roofs, you can’ t help but feel passion and hunger.  

Color is probably the most powerful non-verbal form of communications designers take advantage of. They create an instantaneous method of conveying meaning and message through logo design.

While Swarovski’s grey swan represents the company’s respect and authority, IBM’s blue conjures up success and security.

                            

Are designers taking advantage of our vulnerability? It is almost scary to think about how we are unknowingly constantly affected by the colors around us that shape our actions one way or another.

The next time you are deciding what color to paint your room, take a minute to think about your decision. If you still to wake up to an energizing red, you may also want a blue vase to calm your hunger pangs!