colour - BeSmart

Well tickle us pink (yeah, we know), because today we’re talking about one of our favourite colours that’s taken the throne once again – pink! It’s bold, it’s vibrant, and it’s unapologetically back in the spotlight.

So, let’s take a closer look at why this powerhouse hue is back in fashion and how it’s shaking up the design and branding world.

The power and meaning of pink

Pink has always been a colour loaded with meaning. Traditionally, it’s been associated with femininity, sweetness, and romance. However, modern interpretations have pushed these boundaries, giving pink a more exciting and versatile role. It’s a colour that can be both playful and sophisticated, soft and powerful.

In branding, pink is used to convey a range of messages and emotions too. It can be warm and inviting or daring and rebellious. The key is in the shade and context! For example, soft pinks might suggest care and nurturing, ideal for wellness or beauty brands. On the other hand, bright, hot pinks scream energy and fun, perfect for products aimed at a younger, more typically adventurous audience.

Barbie’s big influence

Let’s talk about the elephant—or rather, the doll—in the room. Barbie. Yes, that Barbie. The Barbie movie (we love you, Margot Robbie!) has not only reintroduced us to this timeless toy but also reignited our love for all things pink. Barbie’s world is a pink paradise (when can we move in?), and this aesthetic has spilled over into the fashion and design realms in a big way. It seems that “think pink” is the new motto for brands.

The film’s marketing was a masterclass in branding too. Every poster, product tie-in, and social media post was awash with vibrant shades of pink, creating an unmistakable and clear identity. This rebranding of Barbie has shown that pink is not just another colour; it’s a statement. It’s all about embracing a bold, unapologetic style and rejecting the notion that pink is “too girly” or “not serious”.

Brands have picked up on this cultural shift too. Suddenly we’re seeing a lot more pink in the palettes. The impact is clear: pink is no longer seen as frivolous or niche. It’s powerful, versatile, and here to stay – and we are thrilled about it!

Pink’s past prejudices

Sadly, pink hasn’t always had it easy. For a long time, it was pigeonholed into a corner—deemed too feminine, too frivolous, or simply not professional enough. Fortunately, those days now appear to be a thing of the past. The rise of gender-neutral fashion and the breaking down of colour stereotypes have paved the way for pink to be appreciated for what it truly is: a versatile and exciting colour that can transform brands and captivate audiences.

Take a moment to really think about it. Why shouldn’t pink be used in serious contexts? Why can’t it be the face of a powerful brand? The past few years have seen a cultural shift towards inclusivity and breaking norms. Pink is riding this wave, moving beyond its outdated prejudices and becoming a colour that represents strength, innovation, and inclusivity.

Brands that nail their pink branding

T-Mobile

T-Mobile’s magenta is iconic. In an industry that has a whole lot of blue, black and grey, choosing such a standout colour was a smart move. This telecom giant has taken pink—a colour traditionally seen as soft—and made it synonymous with speed, reliability, and innovation. Their branding is a masterclass in consistency. From their stores to their promotional materials, the bold pink stands out, making them easily recognisable and reinforcing their brand identity.

Victoria’s Secret

When you think of pink in branding, Victoria’s Secret probably springs to mind. The brand has expertly used pink to define its identity, especially through its sub-brand PINK. Targeting a younger demographic, PINK uses a vibrant palette to create an image that’s both youthful and sophisticated. This clever use of colour has helped Victoria’s Secret remain a dominant force in the lingerie market, appealing to women of ages with a mix of fun and glamour.

Glossier

Glossier, the beauty brand that’s taken the world by storm, uses pink to communicate simplicity, elegance, and modernity. Their soft, millennial pink packaging is instantly recognisable and has become a symbol of their minimalist, user-friendly approach to beauty. Glossier’s branding proves that pink can be chic and sophisticated, appealing to a broad audience with its fresh and contemporary vibe.

Pink in pop culture: Legally Blonde 2, Mean Girls, and the new Barbie

Pink’s influence extends far beyond branding and into the realm of pop culture. Let’s rewind a bit and revisit some iconic moments where pink stole the show.

Legally Blonde

As if we could talk about pink in pop culture without mentioning Legally Blonde! Elle Woods, with her bubbly personality and pink outfits, taught us that pink can be powerful and professional. In “Legally Blonde” Elle’s pink wardrobe is more than a fashion statement; she redefines what it means to be a professional woman in pink, making it clear that competence and colour can go hand in hand.

Mean Girls

“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.” This line from “Mean Girls” became a cultural phenomenon, cementing pink as a symbol of popularity and power in high school hierarchies. The film used pink to represent both the exclusivity and the camaraderie of the Plastics, showing how colour can be a critical part of group identity and social dynamics.

The New Barbie

As mentioned earlier, the new Barbie movie has redefined pink for a new generation. The film’s visual feast of pink shades, from bubblegum to fuchsia, has captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide. It’s a reminder that pink can be playful, nostalgic, and forward-thinking all at once. The movie’s success has inspired brands to embrace pink in their marketing strategies, proving its enduring appeal and versatility.

Final thoughts

It’s pretty obvious at BeSmart that we love ourselves a bit of pink; our branding is magenta after all. Our use of magenta isn’t just about aesthetics though, we also use it to show what our brand is all about. This includes, uniqueness, creativity, friendliness, and even spirituality through magenta’s link to the crown chakra. This symbolises higher thinking, reflecting our approach to meaningful design. We always knew pink was powerful!

Get in touch today to discuss your brand colours and how we can help you to create branding that really resonates with *your* audience!

branding colour

RGB, CMYK… what the HEX is it all about? A lot of businesses tune out when their designers start talking about colour, but it plays a vital role in keeping your brand looking consistent i.e., professional. If you’re confused by all the different colour models, and why they’re important, then we’re here to help.

In this blog we’re going on a joyous technicolour journey to talk about the difference between RGB, CMYK and HEX colour models, and the whys and hows of maintaining colour consistency in your branding.

RGB, CMYK and HEX colour models

Let’s start at the beginning with the three most common colour models used in digital and print design: RGB, CMYK AND HEX. Here’s a brief overview of each of them:

RGB

RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue, and it’s used for digital design. Different intensities of red, green, and blue combine to create a range of colours. Every colour on a computer screen, tablet and phone is made up of different combinations of RGB values.

CMYK

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). Yeah, we know it’s weird that it’s not just B for Black! This is the colour model used in print design and combines different levels of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink to create a range of colours.

HEX

HEX is short for hexadecimal, and it’s a six-digit code that represents colours in RGB values. It is commonly used for web design – these are the ones that start with a # (before that had a whole other meaning).

So now we know a bit about the different colour models, let’s talk about why it’s so important to keep a tight rein on the colours in your branding.

Why maintain colour consistency in branding?

Colour consistency is crucial in branding for several reasons:

Brand recognition

Let’s shoot for brand recognition, because, who doesn’t want to be remembered? Consistent colour use is the golden ticket to brand recall. Picture this, Tiffany puts out an ad and their iconic blue box suddenly looks purple… Blimey, that’s a branding nightmare! You need that colour consistency splashed across every platform, be it online or offline – website, social media pages, business cards, flyers, the works.

Professionalism

If you want your business to scream “pros at work” rather than “a motley crew’s first rodeo”, you’ve got to get your colour game spot on! Making sure the colours are consistent across all your branding pulls your look together and sets you apart from any Tom, Dick or Harry playing around on Canva.

Efficiency

Running a business is hectic enough without fretting about whether your website logo is playing colour match-up with your Twitter page logo. Kick-off with best practices when it comes to your branding, and you’ll save yourself loads of time and dodging those double-checking duties down the line.

Now that we’ve established why colour consistency is essential in branding, let’s talk about how we make that happen!

HOW do you maintain colour consistency in your branding?

Maintaining colour consistency can be challenging, especially if you have several designers and marketers working on different projects! Here’s a few tips to help you stay in control:

Use brand guidelines

Think of brand guidelines as your brand’s rulebook, laying down the law on your visual identity. It’s not just about the logo, fonts, and colours – it could also stretch to include how photography should be used, the framework for the style of photography, and even layouts for snazzy presentations or social media posts. Typically, they’re packed up neatly into a PDF, ready to guide your marketing materials down the path of consistency. It’s like a cheat sheet for your employees and collaborators, helping everyone stay on brand and looking sharp.

Use the correct colour models

Here’s the 101 on colour models: RGB is your go-to for digital design, CMYK’s got your back on print, and HEX is your web design superstar. So, say you need to get that logo up on Twitter – make sure you’re armed with the RGB version. That’s because the CMYK one will lose its punch on screen, looking less vibrant than your 3 am cup of coffee. Any logo designer worth their beans will have you kitted out with all the versions you need. Seriously, they’re the salt of the Earth.

Test colours before finalising

Remember that game, “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”? Think of your colours as that tail. You want to test them out before sticking them for good on your marketing materials, both in the digital realm and the physical one. Different print finishes can mess with your colour results. For instance, colours can throw a tantrum on glossy or matt paper, and lamination might put a slight damper on their spirit. Don’t go printing a thousand brochures without asking for a print sample first! And remember, just like snowflakes, no two computer monitors or mobile phones show colour in exactly the same way. Keep that in mind, and you’ll save yourself a whole load of headaches.

Use colour management software

There are some tools that can help you in your fight to keep colour consistent. Consider colour management software your new BFF in the battle for consistency across all your marketing materials. This tech wizardry can help you tune up your monitors and printers, ensuring that your colours play nicely across all mediums. You should also become besties with your printing company; they can be the Gandalf to your Frodo in getting the colour right for every job. If they’re local, even better – you can pop in and give a thumbs up in person.

Well, that was a whistle stop tour of colour wasn’t it! Now that we’ve looked at why colour consistency in your branding is essential, you can ensure that your business looks the business. And with an understanding of the difference between RGB, HEX, and CMYK colour models, you can make sure that your brand is looking on-brand across all platforms.

Get going today and start implementing these tips to maintain colour consistency in your branding. Your customers will appreciate the attention to detail and professionalism, and your brand recognition will improve as a result. Need support? Send us a message and we can help.