In the evenings, I am in the progress of working on a website for my wife. The site will display some of her handmade crafts for sale. (I will share it with you once completed.) The reason I mention it revolves around brand and site identity.
We discussed a handful of different color combinations. Once we narrowed it down to a couple options, we analyzed their impact on site design and future customers before arriving at the identity’s color palette. You may think choose a color and move on. But some people spend their entire career focused on color theory. All colors have instinctive significance, which can vary depending on the country or culture. Their significance will directly impact your visitors’ perception of your site, even if it’s only subconsciously. Your color identity can either improve or diminish the brand identity you’re trying to create.
A natural palette of tans, deep blues and dark red right at the breakfast table
Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry, great color combinations exist all around us. Look at nature, read magazines, surf the web or just glance around your environment.
If you still need some color ideas or assistance check out Adobe’s Kuler. This online resource allows you to experiment with color variations and browse theme collections by other designers. If you want to read some more about color theory and view some great site examples check out this three-part series at Smashing Magazine. As always, if you are unsure of a design decision run some options by a friend or co-worker and get their feedback.
