McDonald's logo is red and yellow for clever reason – not just getting attention

The McDonald's 'golden arches' emblem is one of the most distinctive logos in the . It has been used since 1961 - but people are only just learning the psychology behind the iconic colours used for the brand.

Renowned Psychologist Karen Haller broke down how certain combinations of colours profoundly influence our minds, explaining that colour reaches the brain faster than text or shapes because "they work directly on our feelings and emotions".

She noted: "Red triggers stimulation, appetite, hunger; it attracts attention. Yellow triggers the feelings of happiness and friendliness. When you combine red and yellow it's about speed, quickness. In, eat, and out again."

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Moreover, yellow is the most luminous colour on the spectrum and attracts instant attention - giving the logo an extra punch and drawing the eye of would-be customers.

The golden arches themselves cleverly bring to mind two of the famous french-fries in their red packaging. Once you notice this detail, it's hard to un-see it!

Cleverly, during the Covid pandemic, McDonald's released a specifically designed logo - the dual golden arches separated into two single arches - to reinforce social distancing.

While the red and yellow combination is iconic, though, red isn't as ubiquitous as that yellow in the McDonald's branding - especially in Europe, where a dark green - even named 'European Green' - began to crop up around 2009.

The change was made to signify a more environmental mindset by the company, emphasising its commitment to sustainability and responsibility.

And McDonald's didn't stop there - refurbishing their European restaurants with green was also part of the overhaul.

Haller further elaborated: "Green elicits the feelings of nature; natural and environmentally friendly. It's no longer about rushing in for a quick bite to eat. You can relax, get comfortable, linger over a coffee".

This trend for incorporating green into company logos to convey a message of sustainability, nature, and growth has been prevalent in recent years, with examples including Starbucks, Whole Foods, and Land Rover.