To continue my stockpile of whoah mommas from the past few months, a nice info-graphic of American corporate logos sorted by colors (via Digg I believe, and appears to be scanned from Wired):

click to view the larger image

To me, this info-graphic brings prompts a lot compelling questions. Why is this happening? Why are we generally either in the blue camp or the red camp? And why do we have a particularly strong love for blue?

I wonder how much of this was based on concept, copying, or the common visual language already established (blue generally being the choice of advanced technology or conveying the feeling of a cool/steely disposition, red generally being the safe go-to for “I want bold!”). In other words, is it based on the common cultural perceptions of the color-feeling relationships? Or is it the lack of imagination and ambition in corporate America (Do they aim to be just like the rest or the competition or do they want to stand out as a different and, hopefully, better choice worth paying attention to? Is it the safety of following in the footsteps of a past success-story? Do they realize this sentences them to only be as successful or unsuccessful as that example and not progressing beyond it?)?

Or, are we as designers not giving our clients more intelligent design options*?

Alternately, I wonder if it has anything to do with the subconscious identity of being American: red, white, and/or blue. Do other countries lean more heavily into their national flag’s colors?

What would be interesting is to do the same graphic 5-10 years from now and see if there has been a shift or a more evenly-spread distribution of logo colors. I’ve noticed a definite trend towards greenish yellows lately resulting from the earth-friendly wagon everyone has been clamoring onto. How much of it will stick? Will corporate America catch on or will it remain an attribute of new business/green product identities?

*I am definitely aware of the fact that final designs are usually the result of many hands filtering and revising the initial design conception into the finished product. In addition, designers often have to heed the voice of marketing research projections, which rely on studies of the past or status quo and whose decisions sometimes lean on appealing towards “the lowest common denominator” to make sure they are reaching everyone. However, one cannot deny that designers do still play a role in the collaborative process, however little or much room they are given to create and innovate. Perhaps what is needed on our end is not imagination but a class or two on learning how to sell our services a little better? Yes, by golly, it’s decided. I’m writing all the art schools right after I hit “publish”!

What are your thoughts and impressions of this info-graphic?