Hi guys. Thank you so much for joining me on the Fearless Designer podcast. I hope you've been doing really well. I hope everything in your world has been going awesomely. And if you're joining me for today's episode, I'm super excited to jump into a really juicy question. It's. Well, maybe it's not that juicy, but it's been a real common one that's been coming up with my clients. I think I say that every episode, but sometimes I just find these really cool flows of common questions.
So I thought I would share this one with you today on the pod. I'm not sure if you've ever asked yourself this question. If you're in business, you probably have, and that is, does my personal brand need a standout color? So maybe you've been obsessing over trying to find the perfect color for you. You've been in Canva, you've been playing around, you've stuck with something for a few months, then you've changed it. Or maybe you've observed other brands that really nail that iconic color, like Coca Cola, like Tiffany, whatever it might be, you probably have thought to yourself, hey, wait, do I need that too? So people know who I am and what my business is all about. Well, if you've ever felt stuck or stressed or really indecisive when it comes to choosing a brand color, this episode is perfect for you. And by the end of the episode, I promise that you're going to feel much more confident, more grounded, and probably, hopefully less overwhelmed about what the role of color actually plays in your brand. So let's get started.
Hello and welcome to the Fearless Designer Podcast. I'm your host, Morgan MacDonald, aka the fearless designer, and I'm here to help you embrace your fears, level up your visual brand, and take your business to fearless new heights. For two decades, I've worked with business owners just like you, designing brands that are bold, consistent and authentic. I've lived a profesh corporate life as a graphic designer, and I've also spent the last 13 years running my own brand and graphic design business. So whether you're running a six or seven figure business, craving a brand refresh, or just ready to add a little more wow to your visuals, I got you. Each week we'll dive into fearless brand strategies, design tips that you actually can use, live brand audits, and interviews with fellow business owners who have dared to do things differently. So if you're ready to stop playing small, take control of your brand, and lead with confidence, you're in the right place. Let's go.
Let's talk about where this whole idea of needing a standout color even comes from. I think a lot of us subconsciously absorb this from big brands. We think of, as I mentioned earlier, like Tiffany & Co. And immediately think of that gorgeous robin egg blue. Or we think of McDonald's and we see the red and the yellow and we just instantly think of that. Or maybe it's even that purple and pink gradient of Instagram. We all start to think that we need that one color to become icon, memorable and recognizable. And I think for bigger product based businesses and brands, that totally makes sense.
They're in your face all the time with packaging and billboards and signage and ads, and they need that really fast visual hit. But when it comes to a personal brand, particularly your personal brand, especially if you're a service provider, the approach is a little bit different. Like you're not a fizzy drink on a supermarket shelf. You're a person with values, a message, a story. And your brand should definitely, definitely reflect that. First, I've worked with clients who are totally paralyzed trying to pick their hero color. And by totally paralyzed, I mean feeling like they need to book a one on one and dissect what colors they're using, how they work. And they've done this even before we've touched on strategy.
Spoiler alert. That color rarely sticks if it isn't rooted in meaning or aligned with the rest of their brand. Okay, now I'm not here to say color doesn't matter. Clearly it does. I'm a designer. I use it every day. I live and breathe it. But I will say this color is just one part of your visual identity.
It's a supporting character. It's not the whole show. Your audience isn't going to connect with your brand because it's a blush pink or a forest green. They're going to connect because it feels aligned, because it reflects you, because it creates an emotional response that makes them feel something. And what's more important than having one standout color? Obviously, it's consistency, emotion and alignment. When I create brand palettes with clients, I don't start with what's trending or what's memorable. I start with what do you want people to feel when they see your brand? How do you want to show up? What colors are going to help support that energy and not distract from it. And one of these things I say all the time is a fearless brand isn't just pretty, it's powerful, strategic, and it gets you the clients that you want.
And that power doesn't come from one single color swatch. It comes from clarity. So what actually makes a brand stand out? Now, I'm going to be honest with you here. I feel like I'm going to be dropping a lot of truth bombs in this, but the truth is, is that you don't actually need a hot pink or a ne green to stand out on Instagram and be memorable. What really makes a brand stand out, you may ask. Well, it's strategic clarity. It's an emotional connection, it's consistent visuals, it's a unique tone of voice. And most importantly, I cannot stress this enough.
It's you. It's your energy, it's your presence, it's your story. And that's what makes people remember you. It's the fonts you use, it's the way your content is styled, it's the language on your website, it's the consistency across touch points. That's what creates a memorable brand. And especially with personal brands, when they're service providers, coaches, creatives, it's not about being loud, it's about being aligned. And that's what makes you magnetic and stand out. So instead of thinking what color will make me stand out, try asking what colors make me feel like me and help me to show up with confidence and clarity.
Now, in saying that, there are definitely times when having a bold, recognizable color does really serve a brand. If you're selling products or physical packaging, having that signature color can work absolute wonders, especially if, if you want that instant on shelf recognition, if you're running events, or if you're really active on video platforms, a consistent pop of color can really create that visual anchor. And yes, some of my clients have chosen a signature color that works across everything. And that's awesome when this happens organically. But the key word here is organically. It has to be based on your values, your vibe and how you show up, not because you feel like you have to pick one. One of my clients had a really super deep burning love for burnt orange. It showed up in her wardrobe, in her, in her energy.
And it made total sense for that color to be her hero color in her branding color palette. But another client of mine, her brand was grounded in softness, like calm. She needed a real collection of soft tones, not a single statement shade. And both of those options are totally valid. So how do you choose colors that actually support your branding? Well, here are three really quick things that I want you to consider. The first being start with the mood and message. How do you want your audience to feel when they land on website or they scroll past your content, is it energized? Is it calm? Is it inspired? The right colors will support that energy. Secondly, think about versatility.
You don't want colors that look amazing on Canva in a mood board, but clash the minute you put them on your website. Choose colors that play well together and across different platforms. Third, test, test, test. Put it in context and mock it up. Try your palette in Canva. Try it on your Instagram feed, email, banner slides. See how it feel, the real world, just not as a static swatch. And the big thing is your colors are not set in stone.
You can evolve, tweak and refine. Your brand can grow with you. And as I always say, branding is an evolution. It is not a destination. Alright, so does your personal brand totally need a standout color? No. But it does need a standout message, a standout presence, and a standout you. Your brand color is a tool, not a rule. Hey, that's pretty cool, isn't it? Your brand color is a tool, not a rule.
So if you've been stressing about finding the perfect one or the perfect palette, just let it go. Choose colors that feel aligned, that help you show up confidently, and that reflect your vibe, your values and your vision. If you're curious to whether your current color palette still feels you, take a moment today to reflect on that. Does it support how you want to show up, or is it time to take a little moment to refine? And if you're feeling stuck, don't worry, you don't have to do this alone. This is exactly the kind of thing that I dive into with my clients in my strategy sessions and my branding packages. And I would love to help you shoot me a DM on Instagram. If you'd like to chat more or head to thefeelistdesigner.com and send me an email. I would absolutely love to talk color with you.
And if also you want to send me your current colors, what you've got, and tell me why you chose them, I would love to hear that. I love to hear how people tie stories into their color choices. And I feel like that's something that I'm going to be sharing as this podcast episode comes out as to why I chose my color palette and that how that lends to my story. So, until next time, just remember, a fearless brand isn't just about looking good. It's about feeling aligned and showing up with confidence. And I know you've got this. And that's it for today's. Episode of the Fearless Designer podcast.
I hope you're feeling really inspired, fired up and ready to go. Make some bold moves with your brand. If you love today's episode, don't forget to hit that subscribe button so that you never miss a dose of fearless branding goodness. And if you're feeling extra generous, drop us a review. It just helps more fearless legends like you find this podcast. If you've got any ideas or questions for future EPS, please slide into my DMs or send me an email. I would love to hear from you. And until next time, keep being bold, keep being fearless.
And remember, your brand is your superpower. So go out there and dare to be different. Bye. It.
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