Colours, Symbols, and Emotions: The Psychology of Promotional Product Design

Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of colours, symbols, and emotions, and how they play a pivotal role in designing the perfect promotional products. At sourcey.m we love tapping into the psychology of product design to create merchandise that tells a story and evokes emotion. So, grab a cup of your favourite brew (in your fav branded reusable travel cup) and let’s explore the colourful realm of merchandise design.

The Power of Colours

Colours aren’t just pretty; they’re powerful tools that can convey emotions and messages. When choosing the right hues for your promotional products, consider the psychology behind each shade.

Red: Think passion, energy, and excitement. Red is a go-to colour when you want to grab attention. It’s perfect for products that scream, “Look at me!” Use it when promoting a new product or making a bold statement.

Blue: Trust, reliability, and calmness – that’s what blue brings to the table. It’s excellent for corporate giveaways and products that emphasise dependability and professionalism.

Yellow: Happiness, optimism, and youthfulness radiate from this vibrant colour. Yellow is a great choice when you want to create a cheerful, approachable image. Perfect for outdoor events and summery vibes.

Green: Nature, growth, and health are what green represents. Use this colour for eco-friendly products, wellness promotions, or anything related to sustainability.

Purple: Elegance, creativity, and luxury – that’s the essence of purple. It’s perfect for high-end promotional items or products that cater to a creative audience.

Orange: Enthusiasm, energy, and excitement – orange is your colour if you want to create a sense of adventure and fun. It’s great for sports events or products that cater to thrill-seekers.

Symbols That Speak Volumes

While colours are essential, symbols add more meaning to your promotional products. They can instantly connect with your audience and convey your brand’s message. Here are a few popular symbols and their meanings:

Hearts: Love and care. Hearts are ideal for charities, healthcare, and products that promote well-being.

Stars: Excellence and success. Stars work well for awards and recognition events.

Arrows: Direction and guidance. Use arrows when you want to point your customers in the right direction, like with navigation apps or educational products.

Shields: Safety and protection. Shields are perfect for security companies and products that provide safety solutions.

Globes: Global reach and connectivity. Use globes for international businesses and products that bridge cultural gaps.

The Emotional Connection

Promotional products aren’t just tangible items; they’re an opportunity to create a lasting emotional connection with your audience. People remember how a product made them feel more than the product itself. So, make sure your design evokes the right emotions.

For instance, if you’re promoting an eco-friendly initiative, using green colours and nature-related symbols can help your audience connect with the message on a deeper level. If your goal is to inspire creativity, go for vibrant colours and symbols that reflect imagination.

A Case for Red

Frank’s RedHot is a strong example of a brand that has harnessed colours and symbols to convey its brand identity effectively.

Colours: Frank’s RedHot is known for its distinctive bright red label. This fiery red colour is not only memorable but also perfectly aligns with the product itself, which is a hot sauce known for its spicy kick. The colour red signifies heat, intensity, and bold flavour, which is precisely what the brand stands for. When you see that red label, you instantly associate it with the spicy taste of Frank’s RedHot sauce.

Symbols: The red chilli pepper on its label serves as an additional visual cue. The chilli pepper symbolises heat and spiciness, reinforcing the brand’s primary message and making it clear that this sauce is for those who enjoy a fiery flavour.

Emotions: Frank’s RedHot is known for its tagline, “I Put That S#!t on Everything.” It not only adds a playful element to the brand but also conveys the idea that the sauce can enhance the flavour of various dishes. It connects with consumers who are looking to spice up their meals and adds an element of excitement to their culinary experiences.

Check out the Online Merch Store we created for Franks RedHot which was a sizzling success.

Questions to Ask

Now that you know the importance of colours, symbols, and emotions in promotional product design, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to good use. When you’re brainstorming ideas, ask yourself these questions:

What’s the message you want to convey?
The colour, symbol, and emotional tone should align with your message.

Who’s your target audience?
Different colours and symbols resonate with different demographics, so think about your ideal customer.

What’s the occasion or event?
The context matters; a corporate event requires a different approach than a summer festival.

What’s your brand personality?
Your brand’s voice and values should be reflected in your design choices.

By answering these questions, you’ll become a pro at crafting promotional products that not only look great but also connect with your audience on a meaningful level.

Designing promotional products is like being a matchmaker – it’s all about bringing together the right colours, symbols, and emotions to create a perfect union. With the right mix, you can make your merchandise eye-catching and emotionally compelling.