Color Schemes

Color is the first place where your design can go terribly wrong! If you pick a bad color scheme, it will be the first thing your visitors notice, and they won't get over it. Keep in mind, the web is all visual.

Colors play a role in every design created, including black and white (shades). In most cases, your website color scheme should implement your existing colors (such as colors in your letterheads, business cards, etc.). However, you may choose any color, whether it will implement your existing colors, such as lighter shades, or combinations, or colors that may be more appealing to the eye.

Color can be the most important element in image design. Keep these factors in mind when determining what colors to use and how to implement them.

• Deeply saturated primary colors (red, green, blue), do not translate well between video display systems (e.g. computer monitors). These colors have the characteristic of containing a majority of one color and very little of the other two. As these colors are moved through signal distribution systems they are prone to smearing or bleeding, making the image difficult to see.
• Don't forget to make the background color one that compliments, not covers or overwhelms, the information in the image.

Make sure the colors you choose work well with the goals of your site. Site purpose will influence choices of colors and graphics. Consider how the page will print if it is likely to be printed. Will the font color appear on white paper? What will your page look like if the client overrides your page colors? Use a limited set of colors. A few colors can go a long way in design.