Using Color Wisely
Color is the first thing which visitors notice about your site, and can create very strong first impressions.
Select a few colors which are appropriate for the theme and audience of your site, and stick with them, using them throughout all the elements of your site. Pick colors which you feel your visitors will like, and which you will be happy working with for quite a while.
Backgrounds |
For weary-eyed web travelers,
light colored backgrounds are
usually best. Black or dark backgrounds are great for impact and
small amounts of text, but they make large amounts of text difficult to
read.
When using textured background images, never choose a background that hinders the reading of text. If no-one can read your text, what's the point of having a web site? A background can pull the whole look of your site together, or do just the opposite. |
Heading Text |
Choose a color for headings which harmonizes with your background. Choose a color similar to one in your background, but which has enough contrast for people to read it. A general rule of thumb is to pick a darker version of a color a light-colored background , or a lighter version of one in a dark-colored background. The text and the background will look like they belong together, and no one will wonder "Why on earth did they choose that color?" |
Body Text |
In
general, black is best for the main body of your
text. If your background is too dark for black
text, consider choosing a lighter background. Make sure that there's enough contrast between your text and your background, but not too much contrast; both extremes make people struggle to read. |
Icons, Bullets and Links |
Again, choose a color which harmonizes with your background. You can easily create your own, custom icons and bullets in a program like Paint Shop Pro so that they are exactly what you need. Be creative. |
In Summary |
Relate the colors of all important
elements on your site. This principle is
essential for creating a site that looks well thought out
and unified. Once you've learned this concept, you should be well on your way towards designing web sites with style. |
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E-mail: alaithea@poboxes.com. |
This page last updated 10-Mar-98.
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*No graphics in Shady Oaks are for public use except the E-Trees and customizable backgrounds in The BG Mold.* |
