Web Advisor » Set the Mood in Web Design
Color
- Color and Web Design
- Less is More
- Importance of the Color
- Set the Mood in Web Design
- Color Psychology
- Choosing a Color Scheme
- White space
- Web Design Color Resources
Content
- Writing for the Web
- Scannability
- Writing to be Found
- Terms to Avoid
- Web Facts
- How to Write an "About Us" Page
- Five Usability Samples
- Special Characters
- Writing Content Resources
- Memorable slogan
Consumer concern
SEO
- Content Creation
- Choosing keywords
- Text and SEO
- Linking Strategies
- Custom "Error" Pages
- Keyword Ranking Factors
- Non-Keyword Ranking Factors
- Page Speed Factors
- Top Search Engine Ranking Factors
- SEO Resources
Bookshelf
Color usage is important because it gives consumers visual clues to help them sort and categorize what they are seeing. If your company uses bright, playful colors like bright orange, red, or royal blue, your consumers may think you are selling products geared toward children. That can be great if you're selling toys for toddlers, but if you're selling office supplies for large corporations, you may want to revise your color scheme. Deep grays, pastel blues and black are often associated with more 'dignified' or 'elegant' products. Some colors better represent spring, while others denote winter. The wrong color can give your consumer an entirely different impression of your company than the one you're after. So choose wisely.
What is your company's personality? Is it formal, exclusive and higher priced? Or is it friendly, casual and affordable? Certain colors have psychological and cultural meanings that have long been ingrained in your user. If you try and use a color differently than what they associate your company with, it is likely your campaign will not be successful. Use your colors to set the mood and tone of your company. Use cooler colors to promote a calm, serious image or warm colors for an energetic, exciting feel.
Consumers become emotionally attached to certain colors. As a result, different colors can convey different feelings, such as the season, or time of day.
Do not underestimate the use of color in web design. Color can, in subtle ways, invite to viewer to linger and respond, or push him away. Make sure the mood you set is just right for your audience.
The best way to learn how to use color to set the proper mood is by studying fine art. The great fine artists are masters at manipulating the emotions through color. Many of the principles they employ can be applied to web design.
"Moon Light" by Kimberly Garza. Acrylic Paint. www.yourauraphoto.com