Looking for color inspiration for your brand identity? Check out these 9 color combinations, utilizing color psychology and seasonal brand theory.
Looking for a little inspiration for your brand identity’s color palette? We’re sharing 9 color palette combinations to get those wheels turning. Even better, they’re aligned with each brand season so you can really utilize the power of color psychology.
IN THIS ARTICLE
>> What is seasonal brand theory?
>> How can you use it to guide your brand’s color palette?
>> Spring season color combinations
>> Summer season color combinations
>> Fall season color combinations
>> Winter season color combinations
What is seasonal brand theory?
Seasonal brand theory is a blend of color psychology and seasonal color theory. I first heard about it from Fiona Humberstone and after taking her course and reading all the books, started applying it to my design process with clients.
The idea is that every brand identifies with a particular season and that season has unique characteristics.
From the words on a website to the photography styling to the color palette, each season has a set of guidelines that embody and evoke emotions based on color psychology and seasonal theory.
How can you use it to guide your brand’s color palette?
Let’s start with an example. If you want your brand experience to feel energized, creative, fun and friendly, your brand most likely aligns with the spring brand season. Based on the spring brand characteristics, you can then narrow down the types of colors to choose from – you’ll stick with colors that have a high saturation and high tint.
Now here’s the disclaimer: seasonal brand theory is by no means the be-all-end-all when it comes to creating a color scheme for your brand. You may fall absolutely in love with a color that falls outside of your selected brand season. That’s okay. The goal here is to use the ideas to help guide you in the right direction. They’re based on the tried-and-true practices of color psychology and seasonal color theory, so it’s definitely worth consulting and sticking to as much as possible.
Spring season color combinations
Spring personality colors are bright, bold and full of warmth. Think high saturation and yellow undertones. The goal in using spring colors is to enhance the friendliness and playfulness that spring brands are known for.
Spring personality pendulum: Colors are more warm and yellow undertones, less cool and blue undertones; more saturated and bright, less muted and pastel.
Summer season color combinations
Summer personality colors are cool, muted and elegant. Think low saturation and blue undertones. The goal in using summer colors is to enhance the elegance and high quality that summer brands are known for.
Summer personality pendulum: Colors are more cool with blue undertones, less warm with yellow undertones; more muted and pastel, less saturated and bright; more tint and light, less shade and dark.
Fall season color combinations
Fall personality colors are warm and moody. Think mid-level saturation and yellow undertones. The goal in using fall colors is to enhance the earthy, grounded and cozy feeling that fall brands are known for.
Fall personality pendulum: Colors are more warm with yellow undertones, less cool with blue undertones; more dark and moody, less light and bright; more grounded and wholesome, less pasted and muted.
Winter season color combinations
Winter personality colors are cool, strong and clear. Think high saturation with blue undertones. The goal in using winter colors is to enhance the confident and dramatic persona that winter brands are known for.
Winter personality pendulum: Colors are more cool with blue undertones, less warm with yellow undertones; more saturated and bright, less muted and pastel; more shade, less tint.
Hopefully these color palettes spark some inspiration and make Seasonal Brand Theory more approachable for your own business’s brand. Remember, it’s okay to be a work in progress – the goal is to take action!
Happy branding!
All my best,
Need additional branding resources?
Easy-to-follow tips for picking the right brand color palette that resonates with your community and brand’s personality!
Learn the basics of color psychology and seasonal color theory in this blog post.
See the steps to develop an engaging and effective brand personality.
This post will help you identify your brand’s personality in 5 simple steps.
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