The Power of Color

Do you find it hard to choose color schemes for your Web designs? It is a question I get asked often. An effective color scheme can make or break your Web site. If it doesnt convey the personality you are trying to achieve, you may end up alienating the people you are trying so hard to get to notice you.

In my quest to design successful, attractive Web sites, I spend a lot of time picking colors. Making sure colors coordinate well with each other is not an easy task. But, with the right tools and a good sense of what looks right, you can achieve the look and feel you desire.

Color has the power to make us feel hungry, cool, warm, excited, sexy, joyful, sad. Can you imagine the world without color?

Following is a brief summary of some of the emotions/feelings associated with color:

1. RED: warmth, love, anger, danger, boldness, excitement
2. ORANGE: cheerfulness, low cost, affordability
3. YELLOW: attention-grabbing, comfort, liveliness, cowardliness
4. GREEN: durability, reliability, environmental, luxurious, optimism, well-being
5. BLUE: professionalism, loyalty, reliability, honor, melancholia, boredom
6. PURPLE: power, royalty, elegance, artificial
7. GRAY: conservatism, traditionalism, intelligence, serious, dull, uninteresting
8. BROWN: relaxing, confident, casual, reassuring, earthy
9. BLACK: Elegance, sophistication, formality, strength, illegality, depression, morbidity
10. WHITE: Cleanliness, purity, newness, virginity, peace, innocence, simplicity, sterility

The above associations are not universal. Depending on the country, different colors can mean different things. If you are designing a Web site for an international audience, it is crucial that you pay particular attention to choosing your color schemes. Choosing the wrong colors may prove detrimental to the success of your Web site.

For more information about color, visit the following Web sites:

The Color Schemer
http://www.colorschemer.com/online/

ColorMix
http://www.colormix.com/

Palette Man
http://www.paletteman.com/

Pantone
http://www.pantone.com/index.asp?pn=home

"Color Smart: How To Use Color To Enhance Your Business and Personal Life" by Mimi Cooper is a must-read if you are an aspiring graphic artist. For more information, visit http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671034596/glasspoolewebdev

Copyright (c) 2001 by Joanne Glasspoole

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.

:To contact see details below.


design@glasspoole.com
http://www.glasspoole.com