After exploring blue, red and white in previous articles in our series on colours in graphics, this month we focus on yellow. With the arrival of April, a season in which sunlight becomes more intense and nature awakens, yellow perfectly represents the vitality and renewal of this period.
The meaning of yellow
Yellow is the colour of light, energy and positivity. Symbolically, it is associated with:
- Optimism and happiness: it evokes the sun and warmth, stimulating positive emotions.
- Creativity and innovation: it is often used to represent new ideas and inspiration.
- Caution and warning: yellow colours are used for signals and warnings, thanks to their high visibility.
- Youth and enthusiasm: often present in products intended for a young audience or in the entertainment sector.
Depending on the shade, yellow can convey different sensations:
- Light yellow: sweetness, freshness and lightness.
- Bright yellow: energy, dynamism and urgency.
- Golden yellow: luxury, prestige and tradition.
The use of blue in graphics
Due to its brightness and its ability to capture attention, yellow is often used in the following areas:
- Branding and corporate identity: used by brands such as McDonald’s, Nikon and IKEA to convey energy and warmth.
- Marketing and advertising: often used to promote young and dynamic products.
- Packaging and retail: perfect for highlighting products on crowded shelves.
Yellow in different sectors
- Food: stimulates appetite and energy (e.g. McDonald’s, Lay’s).
- Creativity and media: represents originality and innovative ideas (e.g. National Geographic).
- Safety and signage: used for its high visibility (road signs, danger warnings).
Risks in using the color yellow
Although it is a stimulating color, yellow can be annoying if used in excess or with shades that are too bright. Furthermore, on white backgrounds it can reduce readability. To avoid this, it is advisable to combine it with dark colors (black, blue, gray) or complementary colors (purple, dark green) to create an effective contrast.
Conclusion
Yellow is a powerful color, capable of communicating energy, positivity and innovation. Used with balance, it can give brightness and character to any graphic design.
Next month we will discover another shade and its role in design. What will it be? Continue following this series to find out!