What it means: Brands that use yellow are “expressing a personality of happiness, optimism and friendliness.” Yellow is also the most visible color in daylight, making it difficult to overlook brands that use the color.

Which brands use it: McDonald’s uses...

What it means: Orange is powerfully bright. Companies using orange are seen as “fun, playful and enjoying social interaction.” Orange can also represent physical comfort, like food and warmth. But be cautious when using orange, she says, because some brands that do “come across a...

What it means: Green is the color of money and envy, but it also signifies the environment, Mother Earth, and universal love. Green is attractive to youth and to those who enjoy life.

Which brands use it: The green mermaid on the center of every Starbucks c...

What it means: Blue represents “trust, integrity, and communication”. However, the use of the wrong tone of blue “can make a brand appear cold, aloof and unapproachable.” Blue relates to the mind, so consumers associate it with logic and communication. It...

What it means: “Quality, luxury, and decadence” are all associated with purple , as is royalty. However, it can sometimes come off as tacky, too whimsical, or not in touch with reality, and depending on the company, this can be detrimental to the message the brand wants to send.