Web design has come a long way since the inception of the internet over 30 years ago. What started as a way to share information around the world, resulted in the rise of arguably the most important invention in the 20th century. Today, with the advancements in technology and user expectations, it’s essential for designers to stay updated with the latest design tips to create engaging and user-friendly websites.
Early website designs were very linear, consisting primarily of large bodies of text and hyperlinks arranged in a vertical layout with few, if any graphics. It wasn’t until the mid-1990s when the Graphical User Interface (GUI) was created, that allowed designers to integrate graphics and icons into the fabric of the website itself. Eventually, tables were introduced and became a popular way of laying out website elements, emulating the look of printed documents and editorials.
Fast forward to today, progressions in web technology and efficient coding have paved the way for more intricate website designs with interactive elements, 3D designs, parallax scrolling, adaptive graphic elements, and endless customization options.
However, despite advances in web design, one thing that remains the same is the foundation of those designs are based on, one of which is the use of color. How colors are applied on the page design, their influence on the user experience (UX), as well as the overall feel and impression that they leave on visitors.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at design tips which focusing on color theory and how it impacts your visitor’s experience.
Within the context of website design, the color theory involves three main components, namely contrast, complementation, and vibrancy. These components govern how colors are perceived by our brains and how we process them visually.
Contrast
Contrast refers to the shade of color that is opposite to a particular color.
For example, shades of yellow would find its contrast in blues, while shades of red would contrast with greens. These are easily identifiable when referring to a color diagram or color wheel, where the contrasts are on the exact opposite ends of the color wheel. As we’ll mention below, contrasting colors can complement each other when used moderately.
Complementation
Contrast refers to the shade of color that is opposite to a particular color.
For example, shades of yellow would find its contrast in blues, while shades of red would contrast with greens. These are easily identifiable when referring to a color diagram or color wheel, where the contrasts are on the exact opposite ends of the color wheel. As we’ll mention below, contrasting colors can complement each other when used moderately.
Vibrancy
Vibrancy refers to the intensity, or the perceived brightness of colors to our eyes.
Certain shades of colors have higher vibrancy than others, making them feel warmer such as shades of orange, yellows and red. Designers can leverage this to draw attention to a certain page element by using the vibrant shade of those colors, or evoke a warm vibe by using its more subdued shade.
Color schemes
In addition to color theory, web designers also make use of certain color schemes to illustrate websites.
Color schemes are the primary set of colors that designers use within the main areas of the website, such as the heading, background, and the various page elements.
While the textual content and images may be the first things that visitors notice on a website, the color schemes are what determine their subconscious feel and mood as they browse through the site. Hence, the importance of choosing these colors wisely. The following are commonly used set of color schemes that have been proven effective for web design:
Triadic
The most fundamental and reliable set of color schemes are the triadic colors.
As the name suggests, this involves the use of three colors that are located 120 degrees from each other in a color wheel. The three colors will determine the background, the content and page elements, such as buttons, headers and navigational menus.
Compound
Add a fourth color to the triadic set, and you’ll have the compound scheme.
The fourth color is usually reserved for brand-specific colors that have been requested to be included, but can also be a complementary color to add more vibrancy to the website.
Analogous
The analogous color scheme makes use of purely complementary colors, such as red, orange and yellow, or green, blue and navy.
This naturally increases the vibrancy, and highlights the colors that are chosen for this scheme. It should be chosen wisely, as it will dramatically alter the mood and tone of the website. For example, a yellow analogous color scheme will seem energetic, while a blue one illustrates a more sophisticated feel for the users.
In conclusion, these design tips highlight the significance of color and emotions in web design, showcasing their potential to enhance user experience and drive engagement. At Juicebox, we specialize in translating these principles into captivating website designs that leave a lasting impact.
Our team of skilled designers understands the intricacies of color theory and its influence on user perception. By leveraging our website design services, you can unlock the power of color and emotions to create a visually stunning and emotionally resonant online presence. Let us bring your design vision to life and elevate your website to new heights. Contact Juicebox today and let’s collaborate on transforming your web design into an extraordinary masterpiece.
