The Psychology of Color in Cereal Box Design: How Hues Influence Buying Behavior

A cereal brand needs to convince people to buy the cereal it is selling whilst ignoring a similar product from the competition. A brand should convince people that the cereal is healthy and will give them the benefits that they are looking for. Custom boxes can be used to effectively protect the cereal and market it when they are designed perfectly. Color in packaging impacts buying decisions. 

This occurs as color can impact customer perception and evoke certain emotions. It can develop links which impact buying decisions. It is important to know that different colors tend to be associated with particular feelings. When a brand strategically employs them on the packaging design, it can enhance product appeal. 

The following discusses the psychology of color in the packaging of cereal and how hues impact buying behavior:

Impact of color

Colors need to be used carefully on the cereal box if a brand wants them to give a certain feeling or emotion to customers. It is helpful to look at color psychology and know what the different shades stand for and what they signify. 

According to this, a brand can select the colors that will help convey the brand message it wants to give and what it wants people to think about the cereal it is selling. A company even needs to choose colors according to what attracts the target audience that is likely to buy the cereal. The colors should appeal to these people and convince them the product is a good one to get. 

Impacts perception of cereal quality

 

If a customer is convinced the product is a high-quality one, they will be more likely to buy it. The box will need to be strong and protect the cereal product letting customers know it is one that is healthy to consume. Color should even be used carefully to suggest quality. 

 

For instance blue is usually linked with trust and reliability. It may be employed to give the image of freshness along with purity. Health-conscious cereal brands that want customers to know the cereal in the custom cereal box is a healthy option can consider using this color. 

 

Vibrant shades on the box are able to convey luxury and quality whilst subdued tones may signify naturalness.

Affect buying decisions

When a company strategically utilizes color, it can tap into customer emotions. Positive links with the cereal products can be created allowing them to be more appealing. It is then more likely that people will consider buying the cereal. 

 

Color is able to help when it comes to brand recognition as well as differentiation. Customers are able to identify the cereal product from a certain brand. A brand can include its brand logo and brand color on the box letting customers immediately recognize the cereal it is selling. For instance customers are familiar with the Kellogg logo and colors and can easily recognize the products. 

 

Conveys type of cereal in the box

 

Before a customer buys the cereal they will want to know details about it. These can be included creatively on the box like its ingredients, nutritional information, flavor, quantity, warnings, who the product is for, etc. The colors used on the packaging can even let people know about the cereal within. 

 

For instance a brand selling kids’ cereal can consider adding bright and bold colors on the box like red, orange, or yellow. These stand out and appeal to kids. A company selling healthier cereal can use softer and more natural colors such as green and blue. These give the impression of well-being. Premium brands can consider sophisticated color palettes like dark blues to give the image of luxury. 

 

Colors on custom cereal boxes are able to impact people upon a subconscious level. They can impact buying decisions. For instance the packaging that has bright and fun colors can attract children more when compared to a box that has a muted color scheme. 

Impact on Emotional level

As said above colors can give certain emotions. These emotions may impact how customers think about the cereal.

For example red tends to be a strong color which can give feelings of urgency and excitement. The color is usually used to get the attention of people and give the impression of immediacy. Yellow is a cheerful color which can give a feeling of optimism. The color is usually employed when it comes to the packaging of cereal as it gives a sense of fun plus energy. 

Green can suggest the product is made using natural ingredients as it is linked with health plus freshness. Orange is linked with energy and joy and can be employed to give an image of warmth. It is usually used on the packaging of cereals for kids. 

The color scheme on custom boxes may be one of the initial things that customers notice. It can impact the impression they get about the brand and product letting them know what type of cereal is present in the box and whether they want to buy it. Therefore brands need to use color carefully when designing the packaging.