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Choosing A Color Scheme
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
Clear Ink's Palette Man Project Cool Developer Zone
VisiBone Web Design Color References
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.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1564965163/ 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.glasspoole.com
MORE RESOURCES:  Yahoo! News Search Results for website design Yahoo! News Search Results for website design • Custom website design company for your online presence We live in a technology oriented environment where most business owners try to establish a durable online presence or to upgrade their existing website, appealing to a custom website design company. Regardless of the web design services you need, those of you who want to make sure they will be working with the best have to know from the very beginning their web design needs and what to ask for ... • Website-Watcher Alerts You to Web Site Updates Keep a close eye on your favorite Web sites, and compare versions of pages off-line, with Website-Watcher Basic. Website - Web Design and Development - FAQs Help and Tutorials - Drupal - Law • Dynamic 3D online modelling enables creativity in connector design Design engineers can now build 3D prototype interconnects and import them into their own CAD systems using a new capability from ITT Interconnect Solutions. Its website now allows design engineers to dynamically create virtual 3D connector models, even designs which have yet to be manufactured. • PTC website named one of best in Ga. Peachtree City?s website has been named one of the top Georgia local government websites by Juggle.com, an online encyclopedia and reference website. Juggle.com?s review of local government websites extended to both web design and content. This year the city began broadcasting City Council meetings on the site, and the main page often offers one-stop shopping for those looking for upcoming local ... • Magma Design Automation Inc. Reports Operating Results (10-Q) By 10qk. Magma Design Automation Inc. ( LAVA ) filed Quarterly Report for the period ended 2010-08-01. Read more » » |
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