2025 logo guide: must-have Gen Z colors

Why think about Gen Z when creating your logo

No matter your age or target audience, you may be wondering how relevant Gen Z is to your logo and branding.

The answer is simple: this generation, born between 1997 and 2012, now represents a purchasing power of several billion dollars. Beyond the numbers, Gen Z massively influences the purchasing decisions of those around them and dictates trends on social networks where the visibility of brands is now at stake. Taking into account their tastes and preferences can therefore be a promising strategy, especially if you want to target slightly younger audiences or if you have just launched your business.

Most importantly, this generation has a unique approach to colors. Unlike previous generations who favored subtlety, Gen Z values authenticity and visual boldness. Their color preferences reflect their desire to stand out in a digital world saturated with information. In other words, they want to be heard and seen!

What color trends are related to Gen Z in 2025?

Let's get to the heart of the matter: what hues should you include in your logo and brand color palette if you want to appeal to a younger clientele? We have found four ways to help you create your identity by combining identity, style and innovation.

Dare to go electric green

Let's start with the color of the moment: bright and electrifying green. While the Pantone color for 2025 is Mocha Mousse, a rich, indulgent brown, it doesn't really represent Gen Z's preferences.

For example, colors like Cyber Lime and Brat Green literally exploded in 2024, thanks in part to the influence of Charli XCX, a British singer, and her self-titled album. These acidic green hues symbolize the energy, optimism and positive rebellion that characterize this generation and their approach to graphic design.

Unlike traditional natural greens, these electric shades are more reminiscent of the digital world and technology. They work especially well for logos of start-ups, mobile apps, or lifestyle brands that want to project a modern and dynamic image.

But what are the advantages of betting on these shades exactly? In short, these greens instantly stand out on screens and create a striking contrast to white or black backgrounds on social networks. However, make sure to test the readability using accessibility verification tools and provide an alternative version for printing.

Focus on intense contrasts

In the same vein, another color trend related to Gen Z and its values is simply intense contrasts. No more subtle harmonies and smooth gradients.

This generation refuses lukewarm shades and prefers combinations that shock. Neon pink on deep black, electric blue with bright orange, or lemon yellow contrasted with intense purple. These bold chromatic duos reflect their philosophy. Why choose discretion when you can make an impression?

The explanation is simple. Drowned in a sea of visual content, low-contrast content and logos disappear into the crowd. Gen Z has therefore developed an affinity for colors that literally come out of the screen, creating an immediate surprise effect.

To maximize impact, leverage complementary colors like purple and yellow, or blue and orange. These pairs of opposing hues on the color wheel naturally create a striking visual tension and enhance the overall graphic impact of your creation.

Avoid tones that are too neutral

So, if you've been following everything so far, it's no surprise that we recommend avoiding tones that are too neutral for your logo. Forget about palettes consisting mainly of white, grey and beige, that's all in the past!

This generation sees neutral colors as boring, with no distinctive value or authenticity in design. Where Millennials found sophistication and elegance in soft tones, Gen Z sees blandness and a lack of authenticity. For them, a logo that is too conservative equates to a brand that doesn't dare to assert itself and therefore uninteresting.

The days of quiet design are over. Reassuring beiges and corporate greys no longer generate emotion or engagement on social platforms. On the contrary, they get lost in the mass of uniform content that saturates the news feeds.

If your industry seems to dictate neutral colors, dare to enhance them with bold color accents. A touch of electric lime on an anthracite background or a bright orange detail in a predominantly black composition can strengthen your branding and radically transform the impact of your logo.

Don't forget inclusivity

Finally, inclusivity is not just a trend, but a core value that your color palette should definitely reflect. In the minds of Gen Z, inclusive design is not a bonus, it is a minimum expectation.

For this generation, an inclusive logo means colors that are accessible to people with color blindness. Avoid red-green combinations that are difficult to distinguish and favor contrasts high enough to ensure optimal readability. There are several online tools that can help you validate your choices.

Inclusivity also involves gender-neutral and culturally neutral colors. This generation rejects the traditional codes of "pink for girls, blue for boys" and prefers shades that appeal to everyone, regardless of gender identity. Also beware of cultural connotations: white, a symbol of purity in the West, evokes mourning in Asia.

Finally, make sure that your colors blend harmoniously with all skin tones in your marketing visuals and graphic materials. A truly inclusive logo does not privilege any community and harmonizes with the human diversity that Gen Z values so much.

In conclusion, the Gen Z generation must-have colors aren't just a fad. They represent the future of logo design. Electric greens, bold contrasts, digital inspiration and inclusive values draw the contours of a modern visual identity that refuses blandness. So, by adopting these color codes, you create a logo that not only grabs attention, but speaks the language of a generation that is already shaping the economy of tomorrow.