Why Facebook is blue?

Can you recollect the color scheme of your preferred social media platform, Facebook? It's predominantly blue. However, this choice isn't solely due to blue's calming effect on the eyes. The rationale behind Facebook's blue color scheme stems from its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, who happens to have red-green color blindness. Consequently, the color that he perceives most distinctly is blue.

In Mark Zuckerberg's own words:

“Blue is the richest color for me; I can see all of blue.”

Why is blue a favourite among brand logos?

Blue is a frequently observed color scheme in brand logos, as evidenced by the logos of prominent companies like Twitter, HP, Ford, Samsung, Philips, Panasonic, Amazon, Adidas, Nokia, Intel, IBM, and Skype. This prevalence of blue might appear to be more than mere happenstance. In fact, there are various factors, spanning from scientific to psychological and behavioral realms, that contribute to blue being a favored choice.

From a psychological angle, blue is often linked with positive attributes such as trustworthiness, dependability, and serenity. It carries a calming effect on the eyes and exudes a sense of stability. In contrast, colors like red and green tend to evoke stronger emotional responses and psychological connotations, which might make them less suitable for specific brand representations.

Furthermore, scientific considerations are at play. Blue is a color to which our eyes are notably sensitive, making it visually appealing and easily discernible under different lighting conditions. This quality can bolster brand recognition and help logos stand out effectively.

Behavioral studies have also indicated that blue can impact consumer behavior. It's associated with professionalism and competence, rendering it an attractive option for businesses aiming to convey a solid perception of trustworthiness and expertise.

While these scientific, psychological, and behavioral factors contribute to the widespread preference for blue in brand logos, individual motivations and personal connections, such as Mark Zuckerberg's rationale for selecting blue due to his color blindness, introduce unique layers of significance to the color choice.

In essence, the prevalence of blue in brand logos transcends mere coincidence. It stems from a convergence of factors that collectively enhance its ability to convey desired qualities and establish a memorable brand identity.

What is colour blindness? 

Color blindness is relatively widespread, primarily affecting males at a rate of 1 in 12 men (8%) and about 1 in 200 women. On a global scale, approximately 300 million individuals are estimated to be affected by color blindness.

Now, let's delve into the scientific basis of how colors are detected. To begin, it's important to grasp that the task of identifying colors is carried out by the retina in your eyes. This retina consists of two types of photoreceptor cells: rods and cones. Cones are responsible for perceiving color, whereas rods detect variations in brightness and darkness. Additionally, there are three varieties of color cone cells: red, green, and blue. Your brain processes input from these cone cells to formulate your perception of colors.

For someone with color blindness, one or more of these color cone cells—red, green, or blue—might be absent, non-functional, or capable of detecting a different color than usual. Thus, the colors that individuals with color blindness perceive hinge on the specific type of color blindness they have.

The most prevalent forms of color blindness are collectively termed 'red-green color blindness.' In this type, individuals often find it challenging to differentiate between colors containing red or green components. Consequently, someone with red-green color blindness might struggle to distinguish between blue and purple (a combination of red and blue) since they are unable to perceive the red element within the purple color. As a result, even purple appears blue to them. Given this, a person with red-green color blindness might accurately identify only five shades of colored pencils from a standard set of 24.

What causes colour blindness? 

The occurrence of color blindness is primarily attributed to genetic factors, often inherited from one's mother. However, there are additional factors that can lead to color blindness. Medical conditions like diabetes can contribute to its development, as can certain medications or drugs. Moreover, aging is another possible factor that can lead to color blindness over time.