Vibrant splashes of multicolored paint.
Vibrant splashes of multicolored paint.
Vibrant splashes of multicolored paint.

Color Psychology in UI/UX Design

Feb 10, 2025

·

3 min read

Understanding color psychology in UI/UX design is crucial for creating effective and engaging user experiences. Colors convey emotions and messages, influencing user perceptions based on age, culture, and gender.

By leveraging color psychology in UI/UX design, we can craft interfaces that not only look aesthetically pleasing but also resonate deeply with the target audience, enhancing usability and engagement. Let’s explore the impact of colors and how they shape user experiences.

Blue color

Blue is the most liked color among all age groups. It is also the most widely used color for branding, thanks to its universal appeal and trustworthiness.

A data table highlighting blue as the most liked color across age groups, accompanied by blue-themed logos like Twitter, Vimeo, and Dropbox.

Yellow color

In color psychology in UI/UX design, yellow is favored by younger individuals, but its popularity declines with age. Considering audience demographics is crucial for effective color choices.

A Snapchat chat interface displayed next to Nesquik and Chupa Chups branded items.

Color preference with age

As people age, they prefer colors of shorter wavelengths. Blue, green, and violet have shorter wavelengths, while yellow, orange, and red have longer wavelengths.

A color spectrum ranging from violet to red, with corresponding nanometer wavelengths labeled.

Color preference by gender

Men favor contrasting, bright colors, while women prefer softer shades. Men often choose shades of their favorite colors paired with black, whereas women prefer pairing them with white. These differences are significant in color psychology in UI/UX design.

A grid showing different creative projects, such as a green sports car, a cozy living room, and digital designs by Giorgi and Anastasia Golovko.

Pink, brown, and orange color

Pink, brown, and orange rank among the least preferred colors. Pink is sometimes disliked for being too girly, brown is associated with decay and sadness, and orange is too bright and attention-grabbing for introverts.

A data table highlighting the least liked colors, with pink, brown, and orange marked for young adults, adults, and seniors.

Red and blue color combination

A red and blue combination is the most preferred among adults. Red evokes intense feelings, while blue feels calm. This contrast makes the duo dynamic and energetic.

A Pepsi can surrounded by logos like Costco and NBA, with website snapshots of brands like WellPoint and Tommy Hilfiger.

Color meanings depend on the context

Context is crucial when it comes to color psychology in UI/UX design. It ensures cultural appropriateness and user engagement.

Western cultures

  • Yellow: Happiness, energy, optimism, and sunshine

  • White: Purity, innocence, peace, and cleanliness

  • Red: Warnings, danger, love, passion, and excitement

Eastern cultures

  • Yellow: Courage, betrayal, prosperity, and deceit

  • White: Death, unhappiness, mourning, and funerals

  • Red: Luck, long life, beauty, and wealth

A 3D astronaut holding a red pitchfork with a “Delete my account” message next to the Peanut app login screen.

Inappropriate color use

Poor color choices can have unintended consequences when it comes to color psychology in UI/UX design. Using too many bright colors can create chaos and confusion, while excessive muted tones can make a design feel dull and uninspiring.

Four cards displaying generational color preferences: Boomers (neutrals), Gen X (basics), Millennials (energetic shades), and Gen Z (bright contrasts).

Conclusion

Mastering color psychology in UI/UX design enables designers to create meaningful, engaging experiences. By understanding cultural significance, audience preferences, and color interactions, we can build interfaces that not only attract users but also enhance usability and emotional impact. Thoughtful color choices lead to more effective and visually appealing designs.

Blue color

Blue is the most liked color among all age groups. It is also the most widely used color for branding, thanks to its universal appeal and trustworthiness.

A data table highlighting blue as the most liked color across age groups, accompanied by blue-themed logos like Twitter, Vimeo, and Dropbox.

Yellow color

In color psychology in UI/UX design, yellow is favored by younger individuals, but its popularity declines with age. Considering audience demographics is crucial for effective color choices.

A Snapchat chat interface displayed next to Nesquik and Chupa Chups branded items.

Color preference with age

As people age, they prefer colors of shorter wavelengths. Blue, green, and violet have shorter wavelengths, while yellow, orange, and red have longer wavelengths.

A color spectrum ranging from violet to red, with corresponding nanometer wavelengths labeled.

Color preference by gender

Men favor contrasting, bright colors, while women prefer softer shades. Men often choose shades of their favorite colors paired with black, whereas women prefer pairing them with white. These differences are significant in color psychology in UI/UX design.

A grid showing different creative projects, such as a green sports car, a cozy living room, and digital designs by Giorgi and Anastasia Golovko.

Pink, brown, and orange color

Pink, brown, and orange rank among the least preferred colors. Pink is sometimes disliked for being too girly, brown is associated with decay and sadness, and orange is too bright and attention-grabbing for introverts.

A data table highlighting the least liked colors, with pink, brown, and orange marked for young adults, adults, and seniors.

Red and blue color combination

A red and blue combination is the most preferred among adults. Red evokes intense feelings, while blue feels calm. This contrast makes the duo dynamic and energetic.

A Pepsi can surrounded by logos like Costco and NBA, with website snapshots of brands like WellPoint and Tommy Hilfiger.

Color meanings depend on the context

Context is crucial when it comes to color psychology in UI/UX design. It ensures cultural appropriateness and user engagement.

Western cultures

  • Yellow: Happiness, energy, optimism, and sunshine

  • White: Purity, innocence, peace, and cleanliness

  • Red: Warnings, danger, love, passion, and excitement

Eastern cultures

  • Yellow: Courage, betrayal, prosperity, and deceit

  • White: Death, unhappiness, mourning, and funerals

  • Red: Luck, long life, beauty, and wealth

A 3D astronaut holding a red pitchfork with a “Delete my account” message next to the Peanut app login screen.

Inappropriate color use

Poor color choices can have unintended consequences when it comes to color psychology in UI/UX design. Using too many bright colors can create chaos and confusion, while excessive muted tones can make a design feel dull and uninspiring.

Four cards displaying generational color preferences: Boomers (neutrals), Gen X (basics), Millennials (energetic shades), and Gen Z (bright contrasts).

Conclusion

Mastering color psychology in UI/UX design enables designers to create meaningful, engaging experiences. By understanding cultural significance, audience preferences, and color interactions, we can build interfaces that not only attract users but also enhance usability and emotional impact. Thoughtful color choices lead to more effective and visually appealing designs.

If you aren't following us on Instagram already, you're seriously missing out! Become a part of our ever-growing community and learn something new from the field of product design every. single. day.

Happy designing! 🥳

andrija & supercharge design team

If you aren't following us on Instagram already, you're seriously missing out! Become a part of our ever-growing community and learn something new from the field of product design every. single. day.

Happy designing! 🥳

andrija & supercharge design team

10,000+ designers

Stay up to date

Get valuable design tips, exclusive offers, and more—straight to your inbox. We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe at any time.

10,000+ designers

Stay up to date

Get valuable design tips, exclusive offers, and more—straight to your inbox. We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe at any time.

10,000+ designers

Stay up to date

Get valuable design tips, exclusive offers, and more—straight to your inbox. We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe at any time.

10,000+ designers

Stay up to date

Get valuable design tips, exclusive offers, and more—straight to your inbox. We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe at any time.