It is strongly recognised that colours have a powerful influence on our moods and emotions. As a designer, I want to influence certain physical sensations by introducing particular colours into my projects.
Colour is an essential aspect of web design. Colours can influence moods, acquire different meanings according to culture, and even induce specific actions. Colour is one of the most critical purchasing decisions.
The term “colour theory” has no precise definition; however, it refers to the study and the influence of colour on people. It usually relates to how colour influences the choices and behaviour of people when making decisions. Colours can be separated into the following emotional palette.
Warm Colours
Warm colours can convey a sensation of warmth, both physical and emotional. Red, orange and yellow suggests enthusiasm, passion, happiness and energy. Red can sometimes feel overwhelming, and some designers prefer not to use it in excess. Therefore, orange can be a suitable replacement, or yellow if your audience is children.
Cool Colours
The range of cool colours can convey the opposite sensations. Green, blue and purple, provide peace of mind and are generally seen as calming. Green s associated with nature or even money; blue trust and purple are ideal for luxury items (i.e. royalty).
The culture of colour
Although we may attempt to identify the impact of various hues, it never can be determined whether our reactions are innate or cultural. For example, death and mourning are associated with black in our western world. However, in many Asian cultures, the colour of death is white. White would never be used for a wedding—red symbolised purity and life in India, a traditional colour for a wedding dress.
Reds
Reds are usually seen as warm, even hot, exciting. They can be associated with tension and anger (heat and fire). A small amount of red can augment and balance blues and greens in a colour scheme, adding life and positive quality.
Oranges
Oranges and terracotta, and curry tones share the qualities of red, slightly reduced. Small red-orange areas can be a good, active complement in an otherwise neutral or cool colour scheme.
Yellows
The mildest of the warm colours, Yellows, are often associated with cheerfulness. They also can have a substantial effect on brightness. Yellow tints reams and beiges) are known as “safe colours,” but their overuse can be tiresome.
Greens
Greens are the cool colours closest to warm colours. They have become favourites for balanced colour schemes seeking to be calm, restful, and peaceful. The interior designers and colour theorists of the 1930s promoted green as the best colour for offices classrooms, and hospital interiors that its overuse made ‘institutional green an objectionable cliche.
Blues
Blues are the coolest of the cool colours, suggesting rest and repose, calm and dignity. The colour blue reminds us of the sea and sky. It is also gaining popularity with a focus on the environment. Intense blue in small areas or sections of your website can be a great accent in warm and warm neutral schemes.
Violets
Violets and the stronger purples are often seen as subtle and quiet. Violets have been paired with greens and yellows in the past years to create very appealing, soft colour palettes. They have also been used historically to project dignity ( the “royal” purple).
Neutral Colours
Neutral Colours Black, white, grey, beige are ideal for backgrounds as they can accentuate warm colours. The truly neutral greys make a good background colour, easy to live with over a long period. However, one needs to b cautious as they also can be considered dull and monotonous.
Readability: A website’s readability is essential as you only have a few seconds to get your users attention. It is crucial to ensure that the text colour contrasts strongly with the background.
Device Type: The colours a web designer chooses will not be viewed the same way on all platforms. The type of web browser, the monitor, the video card, a dirty screen will all be factors outside the designers’ control. A good designer will test their websites on different browsers and platforms.
Considering these aspects of colour will help convey the message one wants their website to say.