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Color in Web Design
Color Decisions
When deciding which colors (your palette) you'll use on
the site, you need to ask:
1. Do the colors you pick work well with the goals of
your site?
2. Do the colors exist on the 216 universal-color palette?
3. In an old browser, will you be able to read black
type on the background color you picked?
4. Use a limited palette: A few colors can go a really
long way.
5. Don't think in terms of your favorite or least favorite
colors. Just make sure they support your message and tell your story.
The above information is taken from the
Website http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/index.html and the article
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/html/97/05/index2a_page4.html?tw=design
Color in Web Design
Color is a powerful component of design. It effects mood and emotion.
It evokes associations with time and place. In Web design, it is also
an important factor in defining a site's environment.
Be Consistent
In a well-designed site there is a consistency of design that creates
a feeling of place. That consistency should extend to the use of color
throughout the site. Use consistent colors to visually create boundaries
for the site - to make the site a place.
Choose Appropriate Colors
Just as a business occupies a specific place in the physical world, a
Web site should be considered a specific place in the virtual world. Hospitals,
banks, and corporate offices choose colors for their decor that soothe
or inspire confidence because they are appropriate to their purpose. So
should a Web designer choose colors that reflect the purpose of the site
and enhance the site design.
The Effects of Color
Colors make us feel. Sepia tones evoke memories of yesteryear. Psychedelic
color combinations take us back to the '60s. Turquoise and yellow combinations
or avocado green remind us of the '50s. Colors can make us feel frivolous
or somber. Bright blues and yellows are reminiscent of sunny summer days;
corporate grays speaks of conservatism; black and white of elegance. We've
all spoken of black moods, feeling blue, green with jealousy, red with
rage. Some colors command our attention, others make us feel tranquil.
Use this response to color to support the purpose of your site.
Color Theory
It is important for every designer to understand the basics of color theory,
to understand how colors complement and interact with each other. An understanding
of the color wheel, primary, secondary, and accent colors will help with
selecting colors that enhance the design of your site. http://www.colormatters.com/colortheory.html
Web Color Inconsistencies
Even with carefully selected colors, remember that what you see may not
be what your site visitors see. To minimize problems caused by display
inconsistencies, it is important for a Web designer to understand the
causes of those problems. Colors outside of the browser-safe palette can
cause dithering problems. Even browser-safe colors can display differently
on different operating systems and monitors.
The above information is taken from the
Website http://webdesign.about.com/library/weekly/aa082399.htm
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