One of the biggest problems I often encounter as a web designer is choosing colors for my sites. I generally want something unique that will separate that particular site from the zillions of other websites on the Internet.
Here is my process:
1. “Form Follows Function” - First, I look at the content of the site I am designing. This will generally dictate the colors I will use. For example, if I am creating a professional site for a company, I usually stick to the colors of their logo (if applicable) and use no more than 2 or 3 colors. If I am designing a personal page, or one that is more creative, I will use a few more colors and depend less on the “whitespace”.
2. Whitespace - One of the most underrated pieces of web design is the amount of whitespace a layout has. It has to be just right. Too much whitespace makes the website look sparce and too little makes it look crammed. One I decide how much whitespace I want, I start to look at the actual colors.
3. The User - This part is very similar to number 1. I look at the users who will be using my site. Generally speaking, if it is a younger audience, I will use more color and graphics. If it is an older audience, I will use less colors and keep it simple.
4. Experiment - Once I have an idea of what colors I want to use, I start to experiment. I usually go through at least 4 or 5 revisions before I settle on a color. Once I have a few colors down on a page, I will tweak them to fit together.
That’s about it. It is a simple process for the most part.
If you are having trouble finding color inspiration, check out the color scheme gallery.
Stay tuned to a quick guide to choosing a layout.
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On July 4th, 2007 at 11:38 amLeave a Reply