When you begin the design of your Web site, one of the first things you need to do is decide on a color scheme. Although choosing colors seems like a relatively easy proposition, it's not easy at all. In fact, it's hard.
One of the pluses we have as Web designers is that millions of colors are at our disposal. Unlike the print world, we do not have to pay for each color we use. If we want to use a specific hue of yellow, for example, all we need to know is the hexadecimal code for that particular color.
One of the pitfalls of having millions of colors to pick from is that some people go crazy and use every color imaginable on their Web site. This is a big no-no. Not only does it look unprofessional to use 20 different colors on your home page, but depending on the colors you choose, your page may not be readable.
It is extremely important to pick hues that complement each other. You will want to use a background color that contrasts well with the color of your text. People are used to reading black text on a white background. I keep this fact in mind when I design my clients' Web sites. Although I have never stuck with the black and white color scheme, I try to use a dark font on a light background. It makes for easier reading and a more pleasant experience for my visitors.
Color affects our emotions. For example, the color red makes us hungry. If you're on a diet, it wouldn't be a good idea to set your table with a red tablecloth!
Colors like blue and green are cool. Have you noticed in the summertime how sitting in a blue room automatically makes you feel refreshed?
Yellow is a wonderful brightener. It is cheerful and warm -- like the sun.
When using colors on your Web site, you need to consider the mood you want to create and the audience you are designing for.
If you are designing a Web site for children, red is an excellent color choice, because it attracts the eye and stimulates our metabolism. Red is cheerful and exuberant.
Blue is an excellent choice for a business site because it exudes professionalism, wealth and power.
If you are designing a Web site for a nature group, greens and browns are natural choices because they are colors that are commonly found in the outdoors.
Another important consideration when choosing color schemes is cultural differences. For example, black is the color most commonly associated with mourning in the United States, but in Japan, white symbolizes sorrow. In Malaysia, green is associated with disease, and red symbolizes anger in Indonesia. As you can see by just these three examples, color is interpreted quite differently depending on the country. You must be careful if you don't want to insult your visitors.
Choosing an appropriate color scheme for your Web site is extremely important. Your color scheme must be carefully considered because the wrong choices could adversely affect your visitor's experience at your Web site. You only have one chance to make a good impression. Don't blow it!
For more information about choosing color schemes, visit the following resources on the Web:
The Color Schemer
http://www.godigitalstudios.com/www/color
Clear Ink's Palette Man
http://www.godigitalstudios.com/www/color
Project Cool Developer Zone
http://www.godigitalstudios.com/www/color
VisiBone Web Design Color References
http://www.godigitalstudios.com/www/color
A book that illustrates excellent use of color on the Web is "Web Site Graphics: Color" by Jeff Carlson, Toby Malina and Glenn Fleishman. For more information about this book, visit http://www.godigitalstudios.com/www/color
About The Author
Joanne Glasspoole is a Webmaster and freelance Web designer. Visit her Web site for Internet and technology news, insightful articles, and links to excellent Webmaster resources to help you grow your online business. http://www.godigitalstudios.com/www/color
Culver prom limo ..The effective design is this one, which is maximum simplified,... Read More
Are you going to design or redesign new website or... Read More
No matter what product or service you're promoting, unless you... Read More
1. Web site File Structure / File NamingMost search engines... Read More
Just because you are a small business with an even... Read More
You've got a concept for a business, are excited about... Read More
It seems more and more webmasters are using CSS for... Read More
(1) Create a Direct Response Website, with the minimum number... Read More
The Basics You have a flourishing business ? everything is... Read More
As part of your event planning you should seriously consider... Read More
Home-based businesses need a strong web presence to combat the... Read More
When designing your website, remember to avoid useless and confusing... Read More
Think of the people who visit your site as blind... Read More
You've likely heard of the movie, Jerry Maguire, with its... Read More
1. Repackage your web site content in to different products... Read More
For online businesses with their main goal of selling products,... Read More
You spend time and money promoting your website; but what... Read More
Most NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) don't understand these important aspects of... Read More
There is unlimited possibilities when it comes to designing a... Read More
Web site design has certainly, in the past decade, evolved... Read More
There are several graphic software packages available to help you... Read More
Novice and professional designers alike ? you may probably be... Read More
Designing your own successful web page can seem difficult and... Read More
Geared Up with a website and lots of energy to... Read More
CNN.com's designers have gone out of their way to make... Read More
Wood Dale limo ..Favorite icon appears to the left of your link in... Read More
Ever wonder how HTML color codes are put together? For... Read More
Once, I attempted to create a favicon (the little graphic... Read More
There are lots of websites out there that do little... Read More
Are you a student of graphic design? If you have... Read More
Have you heard of 'Babel Fish'?It's a service provided by... Read More
Drop Capitals are frequently used in many newspapers, books and... Read More
The question that I most frequently hear from people is... Read More
You spend time and money promoting your website; but what... Read More
You have created your custom error page so now all... Read More
Ever browse across a website that took ten million years... Read More
There can be zillions of reasons why your visitors return... Read More
The effective design is this one, which is maximum simplified,... Read More
Are you building a direct sales or mlm business online?... Read More
Back to basics. Forget funky design, good copywriting is the... Read More
Making your site accessible means making it available to be... Read More
10 Basic Things Your Website Should Have ...__ all short... Read More
CNN.com's designers have gone out of their way to make... Read More
Countdown to Armageddon - at least you'd think so judging... Read More
Most NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) don't understand these important aspects of... Read More
Selling on the internet is a challenge. There is no... Read More
Using CGI scripts to add automation to your web site... Read More
Web usability is perhaps the most important factor in any... Read More
If one more business owner tells me their website sucks... Read More
I taught myself HTML back in the mid-nineties and was... Read More
Web Design |