The psychology of color in outdoor advertising: Choosing 4 colors

Outdoor advertising: The psychology of color in advertising is a powerful tool for influencing consumer emotions and perceptions.

Colors can evoke various associations and even impact purchasing decisions. In outdoor advertising, where attention must be captured within seconds, a well-chosen color palette can become a key factor in the success of a campaign. The use of bright or pastel shades combined with modern technologies such as DOOH and pDOOH significantly enhances the effectiveness of engaging the audience.

 

 

In particular, video wall software enables the integration of various color accents into video content, making it more appealing. A digital signage player also helps deliver high-quality content that emphasizes the emotional impact of advertising.

 

 

The impact of color psychology on brand perception

 

Color psychology is the study of how colors influence human behavior and perception. In outdoor advertising, colors are not merely visual elements but important strategic tools. Technologies like DOOH allow for creating dynamic content that visually captures attention. For example, red stimulates activity and quickly draws the eye, while blue evokes trust and calmness.

 

A carefully selected color scheme combined with pDOOH technologies can strengthen the emotional connection between a brand and its target audience, contributing to a positive company image.

 

 

Key principles for choosing colors in advertising

 

Each color is associated with specific emotions and reactions. For instance, yellow symbolizes optimism and energy, while green is often linked to nature and harmony. Modern video wall software allows experimenting with colors, creating more personalized and attractive advertising. A digital signage player ensures uninterrupted content playback, amplifying the emotional impact on viewers.

 

By selecting a color palette of four colors for outdoor advertising, brands can effectively stand out among competitors, account for the psychological impact of colors, and leverage modern digital technologies.



1. Red — energy and attention

 

Red is one of the most powerful colors in advertising psychology. It grabs attention and creates a sense of urgency. This color is often used for promotions, sales, or limited-time offers as it stimulates activity and action. Additionally, red is associated with energy, passion, and excitement. Digital signage helps emphasize this color, especially in dynamic content.  

 

Application: If you need to create a sense of urgency or attract maximum attention, red is the best choice for advertising, particularly for temporary promotions or discounts.  

 

 

2. Blue — trust and professionalism

 

Blue is associated with trust, stability, and professionalism. In advertising, it is used to build an image of reliability, especially in the financial, medical, or legal sectors. Digital signage players make blue appear sharp and vibrant, highlighting the professional style of a brand.  

 

Application: Blue is ideal for advertising banking services, insurance products, or healthcare institutions, where it’s crucial to convey reliability and stability.  

 

 

3. Green — nature and health

 

Green evokes associations with nature, health, and harmony. It is used in advertising to promote organic products, eco-friendly initiatives, or health-related goods. DOOH software helps adapt green tones to modern advertising content, making them more vivid and appealing.  

 

Application: Green is suitable for advertising organic products, fitness services, or medical goods, as it is associated with positive change and renewal.  

 

 

4. Yellow — optimism and energy

 

Yellow is associated with joy, creativity, and optimism. It can attract attention while creating a positive atmosphere. In advertising, it’s important not to overuse yellow, as excessive amounts may cause irritation.  

 

Application: Yellow is perfect for creating a mood of happiness and creativity, especially in campaigns targeting younger audiences or promoting new products.  

 


How to choose the right palette for outdoor advertising considering color psychology

 

To create effective advertising, it is crucial to consider how colors influence audience perception and how they interact when combined. Video advertising on digital screens enhances visual perception, emphasizing the importance of a well-chosen color palette. Let’s explore how to select colors that best align with your brand.  

 

 

Brand goals and target audience

 

Define the emotions and associations you want to evoke in your consumers. For example, green is perfect for eco-friendly products, while red and yellow convey dynamism and energy. The use of Digital Out Of Home (DOOH) technology enables the integration of these colors into digital content, making the advertisement more emotionally impactful.  

 

Principle: The color palette should align with your business strategy and the values of your target audience. DOOH networks provide access to a broad audience and a modern approach to conveying color-based messages.  

 

 

Color combinations for maximum effectiveness

 

Color psychology also plays a role in creating harmonious shade combinations. Balanced combinations, such as red with black or blue with white, create a striking yet cohesive visual effect. DOOH Display Solutions allow precise adjustments to contrast and brightness, achieving the desired impact.  

 

Application: Combine primary colors with neutral tones to create a balanced composition that grabs attention without overwhelming the viewer.  

 

 

Context and cultural nuances

 

In advertising, it is important to consider cultural context. For instance, white symbolizes purity in Western cultures but can represent mourning in Eastern traditions. Digital advertising screens in different regions allow the adaptation of color palettes to local preferences.  

 

 

Examples of successful color use in DOOH Advertising

 

The application of color psychology in real campaigns has proven effective. Through DOOH networks, brands can deliver their message in a visually rich way, tailoring colors to specific audiences.



Coca-Cola

 

The renowned Coca-Cola brand actively uses red in its DOOH advertising to emphasize dynamism and passion. Bright red imagery on screens and digital billboards always grabs attention, evoking a sense of celebration and joy, perfectly reflecting the brand’s emotional image. A centralized video management system allows the company to adapt content to various locations, ensuring stylistic consistency and timely updates.  

 

 

Starbucks

 

Starbucks uses green in its advertising to highlight the natural quality and freshness of its products. This color is associated with quality, harmony, and eco-friendliness, appealing to consumers seeking healthy food or a relaxing environment. Through DOOH screens, the brand conveys this message not only via static images but also through dynamic video content, enhancing its emotional impact.  

 

 

McDonald’s

 

McDonald’s actively incorporates red and yellow in its advertising to stimulate appetite and evoke associations with energy and positivity. With DOOH networks, the brand quickly adapts its messages for different audiences, showcasing local promotions or seasonal offers.  

 

 

IKEA

 

IKEA uses yellow and blue, symbolizing joy, reliability, and affordability. Their digital advertising campaigns on screens focus on the convenience and practicality of their furniture and home goods. This approach strengthens trust in the brand and its values.  

 

 

Why is the right color choice important?

 

Selecting the right palette for outdoor advertising is not just an aesthetic task but a strategic decision rooted in color psychology. DOOH advertising enables brands to engage more effectively with their target audience through bright, dynamic content. Centralized video management systems allow for rapid updates to advertising messages, taking into account cultural nuances, local preferences, and the specifics of color perception.  

 

 

Conclusion

 

By applying the principles of color psychology and DOOH advertising technologies, businesses like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and IKEA achieve greater audience engagement. The choice of colors should align with the brand’s values, evoke desired associations and emotions, and harmonize to create a visually appealing image.


Advision — Content Management System for remote management and media planning of video and audio content broadcast. We help offline businesses and advertising companies automate workflows and implement reliable Digital Signage infrastructure using our own software and hardware solutions.

 

Contact us and we will help you implement the most modern technologies to solve your problems!

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