This article is a follow-up to: Typographic design ensures readable text (part 2)
Colors provide us with many extras. You may no longer stop to think about it, because we take it for granted. We are only confronted with the facts when there are no more colors or when we can no longer see them. Colors often have a purpose: a banana turns yellow when it is ripe enough to be eaten, and you stop when a traffic light is red. Colors give us information.
Meaning of colors
Colors each have different meanings. Many websites can be found on the internet that explain the meaning of each color. Just think about it: which makes you feel calmer? A light blue wall or a red wall? The meaning of a color is based on the feeling it evokes in people. Below is a small collection of colors with explanations.
- Red: strong, desire, excitement
- Orange: enthusiasm, creativity, cheerful
- Yellow: comfort, cheerful, energy
- Green: sustainable, safe, fresh
- Blue: stability, professional, trust
- Violet: noble, royal, magical
- Grey: conservative, intelligent, serious
- Brown: self-confident, informal, down-to-earth
- Black: formal, powerful, mysterious
- White: clean, new, simplicity
Color combinations website tips
Determine what look and feel the website should have.
Consider what atmosphere your website should project and adjust the website colors accordingly.
Choose a main color for your website
The color choice of your website depends primarily on the industry you operate in and the target audience you are focusing on. If you have an online shop selling motorcycle parts, you would be wise to avoid the color pink. At the start of a website, you ask yourself: how do I want to come across? The answer to that question leads to the main color of your website.
Choose multiple colors for your website in addition to your main color.
Once you have determined the main color of the website, you can start working with supporting colors to highlight special site features, such as promotions, special buttons, hyperlinks, and the like. Color combinations must be chosen carefully because they can have the opposite effect.
Two websites to find good color combinations are http://www.colorcombos.com/yellow-color-schemes.html en http://kuler.adobe.com
Ensure sufficient contrast in your color choice
To keep the text on the website easily readable, color contrast is important. Ensure that the colors you choose also ensure good readability of the text.
Tip: To check this, you can convert the website to grayscale. Is the text still readable?
Be careful with the choice of red.
If you would like to use red but also maintain a friendly look, consider choosing a dark shade of red.
Do not use too many different colors
Do not use too many colors for your website. Stick to a maximum of 4 colors for the whole design, including text and borders. Using too many colors can make it look garish.
Ask others for their opinion
Ask others for their opinion. Are the atmosphere and feeling you want to project actually reaching your target visitors?
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The color you have chosen for your website says something about you. A well-chosen color is a color you feel good about. And such a color, in turn, leads to greater motivation and attracts your type of customers. In this way, your choice of color contributes to your success.
Previous articles
Tips for graphic design and usability alongside internet marketing (part 1)
Typographic design ensures readable text (part 2)