Black is a color that has been used for centuries to convey a sense of power, sophistication, and elegance. It is a popular choice for logos and branding, as it can evoke a range of emotions from professionalism to mystery. In the psychology of color, black symbolizes mystery, power, elegance, and sophistication. On the other hand, it can also evoke feelings of sadness and anger.
In retail, black is often used to create a powerful statement and convey authority and respectability. Many fashion retailers have used black in their logos, and it is also a popular choice for text as it is easy to read. Black and white photos are often used as banner images or lifestyle icons to create a certain tone or consistency on websites. The “little black dress” is an iconic fashion item that is considered elegant and luxurious.
On the other hand, black can also have an unwelcoming and threatening feel. It is associated with death and funerals, and is used to describe comedy of a taboo nature. Black is bold and striking, leaving a powerful mark that can give a feeling of superiority and strength. It can be used to represent elegance, power, or strong presence, and can easily resonate with these brand characteristics.
Black is also used for its classic and elegant appeal. In business use, black denotes strength and authority; it is considered a very formal, elegant, and prestigious color. McDonald's uses black and yellow brand colors in its logo and marketing materials to convey a joyful emotion. The youth market between the ages of 16 and 25 are particularly drawn to black as they are still trying to find their own sense of identity. Using black as support for additional elements can radiate elegance, while too much black can be totally bleak and unattractive.
It is important to understand both the positive and negative characteristics of black when designing logos in this color. Black gives the feeling of perspective and depth; however, a black background decreases readability, especially on the web. Reserve black for section backgrounds, important text, or calls to action at the bottom of the funnel but don't use all of these black elements in the same section. Below is a collection of 10 leading brands that use black to their advantage: WWF logo for its formal yet refined elegance; Coca-Cola for its powerful energy; Kellogg's for its quality; Red Bull for its strong presence; Canon for its classic appeal; YouTube for its modern look; Chanel for its luxurious feel; McDonald's for its joyful emotion; Red for its appetite-inducing qualities; Black & Yellow for its bright attention-grabbing look.
