COLOR ANALYSIS
IKEA
IKEA's blue and yellow logo immediately reflects the company's Swedish heritage by using the colors of the Swedish flag. Blue communicates trust, reliability, and quality, while yellow adds warmth, optimism, and friendliness. Together, the colors make the brand feel approachable and affordable rather than exclusive or luxurious. Even though we don't have an IKEA here in Albuquerque, it's one of my favorite stores to visit when I'm traveling, and I think the bright color palette helps make the shopping experience feel welcoming, fun, and memorable.
LEGO
LEGO uses a bold red logo with white lettering outlined in yellow and black. The bright red creates excitement and energy, while the yellow adds a sense of happiness and creativity. These colors appeal to children, but they also create a feeling of nostalgia for many adults who grew up with LEGO, myself included. The colorful branding reflects the company's focus on imagination, play, and building something unique, making the brand instantly recognizable around the world.
OATLY
Oatly is a great example of knowing the rules of packaging and design well enough to break them. Most dairy milks and plant-based milks use white, bold blue, green, or farm imagery to communicate freshness and health. Instead, Oatly relies on a muted palette of blues, tans, grays, and contrasting black, giving the packaging a modern, confident, and understated feel.
The neutral colors help the cartons stand out without competing with the bright colors used by other brands. Oatly also uses subtle accent colors to distinguish different varieties while keeping the overall product line cohesive. I think that's what first caught my attention in the grocery store, and I am still a customer. The unique color palette made the packaging feel thoughtful and authentic, appealing to people who value design and sustainability rather than relying on the typical visual clichés of the dairy aisle.
