Why use red for your logo?

There are so many colors and hues, why choose red for your company logo? Before we begin, it is important to understand the meaning of this color. The colors you choose for your brand should not be taken lightly. The shades you choose need to represent your company, products, and values. On our page about the meaning of colors, we wrote that red is a warm color that is associated with strong emotions like love and anger. It easily attracts attention.

Red is also the second most used color for company logos, after blue. It is also a color that is often found on the flags of countries, because red represents bloodshed, sacrifice and bravery. You can use this color if you want to make a strong impact.

Some tips on how to use red when creating your logo

Red is a warm color that does not go unnoticed. You may need to arrange it with a more neutral color depending on the desired effect. It is also a color that is often used with white, blue or black.

When creating your logo, dare to try different shades of red. There are dark, orange or pinkish reds. This will help you get your desired look.

The most effective red logos in our opinion

It is difficult to choose the best red logos; However, there are several that have had a strong brand image over the years. Let’s see what these unique logos are about and how the color red was used within the brand.

H&M

Let’s start our list with a logo that is both simple, yet effective: H&M. Hennes & Mauritz, or H&M as we know it, is a Swedish company in the fashion industry. They have stores all over the world. First, H&M has a monogram logo, a logo that only uses letters and often an acronym of the company name. H&M decided to choose red for their logo as it is the color of love and energy. This was perfect for their young target clientele. If you want to use the same shade, enter the code (CD2026) in the FreeLogoDesign maker. This color is called Fire Engine Red.

Did you know that red is quite often used in the food and restaurant industry? Kentucky Fried Chicken, better known as KFC, has successfully used red in their logos since 1991. KFC uses their logo on the storefronts of their restaurants, but also on their packaging to create a strong brand image. Their logo is a combined logo consisting of the silhouette of the founder of the chain and the name of the company. On the current version of the KFC logo, there are five colors which include red, white, and black. If you want to use this shade, opt for animal blood red (funny coincidence?), its code is A3080B.

Let’s end our list with another web giant: YouTube. It is one of the busiest websites around the world and everyday millions of hours of videos are watched. YouTube has always used a combination of red, black, and white for their logo. The current logo is also a combined logo, as an icon was added to the company name. As well, the icon is sometimes used alone. Regarding the shade used, it is simply YouTube Red (FF0000). 

In conclusion, do you think that red is the perfect color for your logo? If necessary, you can use touches of red to bring out certain elements. To learn more about using different shades to create a stunning logo, take a look at our suggestions for color combinations. Enjoy creating!