Web pages are communication tool between a web producer and a web user. Asstrangers get together for the first time and share their first impressions, the web producerand the reader share their impressions and communicate through a web. In the same waythat we think it is important to choose an appropriate color and design for an importantevent, it is crucial to choose appropriate color schemes to convey images and messageson your web page.
Color is a central part of our lives. People look at and react to different colors,tints, and shades thousands time every day. People rely on colors to convey meanings formany things. Color has both emotional and psychological impacts. Colors can captureour attention and cause us to react based on our own experiences and beliefs. Webdesignersmust be very familiar with effects of colors.
This paper includes the basic rules of color theory and the functions of color.Subtopics expand the discussion of the effects of colors on mood, color symbolism,readability, legibility, consistency and accessibility. Examples of effective andineffective usage of color will be discussed.
Significance of the topic
By examining the basic rules of color theory and effects of colors, a web designercan develop more appealing and effective web pages which are more likely to sendimages and messages of the site to users directly and effectively. Comparing effectiveand ineffective examples of web sites will help us develop professional eyes and skills forproducing the most effective web site.
Basic Rules of Color Theory
(1) The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. All other hues are derived from
these colors.
(2) The secondary colors are orange, violet, and green.
(3) The intermediate or tertiary colors are between the primary and secondary colors:
red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, and red-violet.
(4) The warm colors are ranging from red-violet to yellow. Orange is considered the
extreme of warm. Warm colors are vibrant and active.
(5) The cool colors ranges from violet to green-yellow. Blue is considered the
extreme of cool. Cool colors are relaxed and subdued. Creative color selection
starts with a few basic color schemes.
(6) Analogous colors are any three consecutive color segments on the color wheel.
For example, Blue, blue-violet, and violet are analogous colors. Analogous
colors produce a palette that blends well and conveys a feeling of harmony.
(7) Complementary colors use two hues that are directly opposite. This color
selection is very powerful and provides high contrast, but it sometimes can be
quite jarring and hard to view over long periods of time.
(8) Split complementary colors consist of one hue and the two segments adjacent to
its complement. This color scheme is vivid and not too overpowering. For
example, the green, red-violet, and red-orange segments are split complementary
colors.
(9) Monochromatic colors use all the hues of one color segment. A monochromatic
color scheme conveys harmony through gradual tone changes in the single-hue
segment.
(10) Triadic colors use three colors that are an equal distance from each other.
These can include the primary, secondary, and intermediate colors. This color
scheme gives a sense of balance between the colors. For example, the blue-violet,
red-orange, and yellow-green segments make triadic colors.
Functions of Colors
Effects of Color on Mood
Color can control or affect the look and feel of the web site. Adding a few colors
can make a boring site exciting, a good site ugly, or can evoke emotional responses.
Therefore, designers should have colors to enhance their sites by creating good visual and
emotional effects. Colors should help the reader/user to enjoy the web-experience.
Here are some examples about how color influences mood:
Pink: soothes, acquiesces; promotes affability and affection.
Yellow: expands, cheers; increases energy.
White: purifies, energizes, unifies; in combination, enlivens all other colors.
Black: disciplines, authorizes, strengthens; encourages independence.
Orange: cheers, commands; stimulates appetites, conversation, and charity.
Red: empowers, stimulates, dramatizes, competes; symbolizes passion.
Green: balances, normalizes, refreshes; encourages emotional growth.
Purple: comforts, spiritualizes; creates mystery and draws out intuition.
Blue: relaxes, refreshes, cools; produces tranquil feelings and peaceful moods.
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