IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/pal/jobman/v28y2021i2d10.1057_s41262-020-00216-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Brand logo and brand gender: examining the effects of natural logo designs and color on brand gender perceptions and affect

Author

Listed:
  • Joana César Machado

    (Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto))

  • Beatriz Fonseca

    (Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto))

  • Carla Martins

    (Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto))

Abstract

This paper examines how a critical dimension of logo design, namely naturalness, along with logo color, influences brand gender perceptions, and whether brand-design-induced gender perceptions ultimately impact affective reactions to logos. Data were collected from a sample of 260 participants, using a set of 24 unknown, manipulated logos as stimuli. Results suggest that while cultural logo designs effectively convey brand masculinity, organic logo designs enhance femininity perceptions. Using dark blue and light pink logo colors reinforce masculinity and femininity perceptions, respectively. Both logo masculinity and logo femininity have a positive effect on the affective response toward logos. Furthermore, this research analyzed the moderation effect of color on the link between logo design and logo gender perceptions, as well as the moderation effect of consumers’ gender in the link between logo gender perceptions and affect toward the logo. However, none of these moderation effects were supported by the data. This is the first research to empirically test the effect of natural logo designs on brand gender perceptions and, thereby, on affective reactions toward the logo. The findings provide practical guidelines about the design of a gendered logo using the naturalness of logo design and logo color, thereby facilitating gender targeting efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Joana César Machado & Beatriz Fonseca & Carla Martins, 2021. "Brand logo and brand gender: examining the effects of natural logo designs and color on brand gender perceptions and affect," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 28(2), pages 152-170, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:jobman:v:28:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1057_s41262-020-00216-4
    DOI: 10.1057/s41262-020-00216-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1057/s41262-020-00216-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1057/s41262-020-00216-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Avery, Jill, 2012. "Defending the markers of masculinity: Consumer resistance to brand gender-bending," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 322-336.
    2. Ralf van der Lans & Joseph A. Cote & Catherine A. Cole & Siew Meng Leong & Ale Smidts & Pamela W. Henderson & Christian Bluemelhuber & Paul A. Bottomley & John R. Doyle & Alexander Fedorikhin & Janaki, 2009. "Cross-National Logo Evaluation Analysis: An Individual-Level Approach," Marketing Science, INFORMS, vol. 28(5), pages 968-985, 09-10.
      • van der Lans, R.J.A. & Cote, J.A. & Cole, C.A. & Leong, S.M. & Smidts, A. & Henderson, P.W. & Bluemelhuber, C. & Bottomley, P.A. & Doyle, J.R. & Fedorikhin, A.S. & Janakiraman, M. & Ramaseshan, B. & S, 2008. "Cross-National Logo Evaluation Analysis: An Individual Level Approach," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2008-055-MKT, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
    3. Pinaki Roy & Kapil Khandeparkar & Manoj Motiani, 2016. "A lovable personality: The effect of brand personality on brand love," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(5), pages 97-113, September.
    4. Bettels, Jannick & Wiedmann, Klaus-Peter, 2019. "Brand logo symmetry and product design: The spillover effects on consumer inferences," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 1-9.
    5. Ryan Rahinel & Noelle M. Nelson, 2016. "When Brand Logos Describe the Environment: Design Instability and the Utility of Safety-Oriented Products," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 43(3), pages 478-496.
    6. Peterson, Robert A. & Merunka, Dwight R., 2014. "Convenience samples of college students and research reproducibility," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(5), pages 1035-1041.
    7. Burnett, John J. & Dune, Patrick M., 1986. "An appraisal of the use of student subjects in marketing research," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 329-343, August.
    8. Janiszewski, Chris & Meyvis, Tom, 2001. "Effects of Brand Logo Complexity, Repetition, and Spacing on Processing Fluency and Judgment," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 28(1), pages 18-32, June.
    9. Machado, Joana César & Vacas-de-Carvalho, Leonor & Azar, Salim L. & André, Ana Raquel & dos Santos, Barbara Pires, 2019. "Brand gender and consumer-based brand equity on Facebook: The mediating role of consumer-brand engagement and brand love," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 376-385.
    10. Belk, Russell W, 1988. "Possessions and the Extended Self," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 15(2), pages 139-168, September.
    11. Robert Peterson & Dwight Merunka, 2014. "Convenience samples of college students and research reproducibility," Post-Print hal-01822317, HAL.
    12. Fournier, Susan, 1998. "Consumers and Their Brands: Developing Relationship Theory in Consumer Research," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 24(4), pages 343-373, March.
    13. Foroudi, Pantea & Melewar, T.C. & Gupta, Suraksha, 2014. "Linking corporate logo, corporate image, and reputation: An examination of consumer perceptions in the financial setting," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(11), pages 2269-2281.
    14. Salim Azar, 2013. "Exploring brand masculine patterns: moving beyond monolithic masculinity," Post-Print hal-03065867, HAL.
    15. Yuwei Jiang & Gerald J. Gorn & Maria Galli & Amitava Chattopadhyay, 2016. "Does Your Company Have the Right Logo? How and Why Circular- and Angular-Logo Shapes Influence Brand Attribute Judgments," Journal of Consumer Research, Oxford University Press, vol. 42(5), pages 709-726.
    16. Joana César Machado & Leonor Vacas-De-Carvalho & Salim Azar & Ana Raquel André & Barbara Pires dos Santos, 2019. "Brand gender and consumer-based brand equity on Facebook: The mediating role of consumer-brand engagement and brand love," Post-Print hal-03065877, HAL.
    17. Gerald J. Gorn & Amitava Chattopadhyay & Tracey Yi & Darren W. Dahl, 1997. "Effects of Color as an Executional Cue in Advertising: They're in the Shade," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 43(10), pages 1387-1400, October.
    18. Yu-Shan Athena Chen & Lien-Ti Bei, 2019. "Free the brand: How a logo frame influences the potentiality of brand extensions," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 26(4), pages 349-364, July.
    19. Sirgy, M Joseph, 1982. "Self-Concept in Consumer Behavior: A Critical Review," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 9(3), pages 287-300, December.
    20. Leonor Vacas de Carvalho & Salim Azar & Joana Cesar Machado, 2020. "Bridging the gap between brand gender and brand loyalty on social media: exploring the mediating effects," Post-Print hal-03065885, HAL.
    21. Lee, Jieun & Ko, Eunju & Megehee, Carol M., 2015. "Social benefits of brand logos in presentation of self in cross and same gender influence contexts," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 68(6), pages 1341-1349.
    22. Hoyer, Wayne D & Brown, Steven P, 1990. "Effects of Brand Awareness on Choice for a Common, Repeat-Purchase Product," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 17(2), pages 141-148, September.
    23. Park, C. Whan & Eisingerich, Andreas B. & Pol, Gratiana & Park, Jason Whan, 2013. "The role of brand logos in firm performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(2), pages 180-187.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Kevin P. Newman & Rebecca K. Trump, 2023. "Addressing the eco-gender gap in men through power and sustainability self-efficacy," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 30(3), pages 261-274, May.
    2. Minjae Sun & Joonseok Kim, 2023. "Sustainability and Brand Equity: The Moderating Role of Brand Color and Brand Gender," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, May.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Munyaradzi W. Nyadzayo & Civilai Leckie & Lester W. Johnson, 0. "The impact of relational drivers on customer brand engagement and brand outcomes," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 0, pages 1-18.
    2. Machado, Joana César & Vacas-de-Carvalho, Leonor & Azar, Salim L. & André, Ana Raquel & dos Santos, Barbara Pires, 2019. "Brand gender and consumer-based brand equity on Facebook: The mediating role of consumer-brand engagement and brand love," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 376-385.
    3. Aleksandar Brzaković & Tomislav Brzaković & Darjan Karabašević & Gabrijela Popović & Renata Činčikaitė, 2022. "The Interface between the Brand of Higher Education and the Influencing Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-22, May.
    4. Ulrich, Isabelle & Azar, Salim L. & Aimé, Isabelle, 2020. "Stay close but not too close: The role of similarity in the cross-gender extension of patronymic brands," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 157-174.
    5. V. U. Vinitha & Deepak S. Kumar & Keyoor Purani, 2021. "Biomorphic visual identity of a brand and its effects: a holistic perspective," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 28(3), pages 272-290, May.
    6. Munyaradzi W. Nyadzayo & Civilai Leckie & Lester W. Johnson, 2020. "The impact of relational drivers on customer brand engagement and brand outcomes," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 27(5), pages 561-578, September.
    7. Jacob, Isaac & Khanna, Monica & Rai, Krupa A., 2020. "Attribution analysis of luxury brands: An investigation into consumer-brand congruence through conspicuous consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 597-607.
    8. Tae-Im Han & Dooyoung Choi, 2019. "Fashion Brand Love: Application of a Cognition–Affect–Conation Model," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-14, September.
    9. Ari-Matti Erjansola & Jukka Lipponen & Kimmo Vehkalahti & Hanna-Mari Aula & Anna-Maija Pirttilä-Backman, 2021. "From the brand logo to brand associations and the corporate identity: visual and identity-based logo associations in a university merger," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 28(3), pages 241-253, May.
    10. Farmaki, Anna & Olya, Hossein & Taheri, Babak, 2021. "Unpacking the complex interactions among customers in online fan pages," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 164-176.
    11. Anwar Sadat Shimul, 2022. "Brand attachment: a review and future research," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 29(4), pages 400-419, July.
    12. Dwayne D. Gremler & Yves Vaerenbergh & Elisabeth C. Brüggen & Kevin P. Gwinner, 2020. "Understanding and managing customer relational benefits in services: a meta-analysis," Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 565-583, May.
    13. Bartikowski, Boris & Richard, Marie-Odile & Gierl, Heribert, 2023. "Fit or misfit of culture in marketing communication? Development of the culture-ladenness fit index," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    14. Geuens, Maggie & Weijters, Bert & De Wulf, Kristof, 2009. "A new measure of brand personality," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 97-107.
    15. Stokburger-Sauer, Nicola & Ratneshwar, S. & Sen, Sankar, 2012. "Drivers of consumer–brand identification," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 406-418.
    16. Roger B Mason, 2013. "The ‘Chav’ Subculture: Branded Clothing as an Extension of the Self," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 5(3), pages 173-184.
    17. Vytautas Dikcius & Eleonora Seimiene & Ramunas Casas, 2018. "Brand Personality Scale: Is It Applicable For A Small Emerging Country?," Organizations and Markets in Emerging Economies, Faculty of Economics, Vilnius University, vol. 9(2).
    18. Jill Nash & Cindy Sidhu, 2023. "‘Pink is for girls, blue is for boys’ exploring brand gender identity in children’s clothing, a post-evaluation of British retailer John Lewis," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 30(5), pages 381-397, September.
    19. Shah, Denish & Webster, Emily & Kour, Gurpreet, 2023. "Consuming for content? Understanding social media-centric consumption," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).
    20. Elbedweihy, Alaa M. & Jayawardhena, Chanaka & Elsharnouby, Mohamed H. & Elsharnouby, Tamer H., 2016. "Customer relationship building: The role of brand attractiveness and consumer–brand identification," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(8), pages 2901-2910.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:pal:jobman:v:28:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1057_s41262-020-00216-4. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.palgrave.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.