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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!
About the Author:
Joanne Glasspoole. Joanne Glasspoole is the editor/publisher of CYBER QUEST.
Each issue is jam packed with original reports, news briefs, cool Webmaster
tools, and more. To subscribe, send email to mailto:Majordomo@lists.kdv.com
with "subscribe cyberquest" in the body of your message. Visit Joanne's
web site at http://www.glasspoole.com |
