Using Color in Your Web Site Design
When creating a web site, many people think about color, but may not give it real consideration when it comes to the impact it has on a successful web page design. Color, however, is one of the most important things to think about in your web creation. The color scheme of your site will set the mood and will give viewers an indication or your identity and image the moment they land on the home page. It makes a huge first impression! Here are some things to think about when deciding on colors for your website.
Warm vs. Cool
Warm colors are generally vibrant and attention getting. Red can be passionate and can be an action motivator, and while orange is similar, it is more likely to stimulate the appetite. Yellow is another warm color, but when used in the right tone can create a feeling of hope and friendliness.
Cool colors, such as blue and green, tend to be more calming. Blue is the most calming color and can often signify sophistication and intelligence, and is often associated with the sky and the ocean. Green on the other hand can signify not only growth and health, but also money. And purple is mysterious and can be a symbol of royalty or spirituality and is often eye catching because it’s a combination of warm and cool in that it is made up of red and blue.
Choosing Your Color Scheme
Once you understand the difference between warm and cool and you decide what feelings you want to convey on your site you’re ready to choose your palette. It’s not necessary to choose all warm or all cool. Sometimes a combination will help draw attention to specific items on a page. Using a monochromatic scheme will create a feeling of harmony and can tie the different areas of your site together. Using contrasting colors can work, but be careful because the eye often has trouble when it tries to focus on contrasting colors at the same time. No matter what combination of colors you choose, be careful with strength and tone of each color. Test your site and get input from friends, family and associates. This will give you an idea of whether or not your color combination is a success!
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