Color is very important in the design of your website. Certain colors represent specific feelings or memories, and an energy that communicates on many levels. A good goal in using color in this medium is to use about 3 different colors.

Below is a color wheel program to play with, to help you choose the colors for your website. There is more info on the left under the Quick Start Guide.  

Color Harmony
In visual experiences, harmony is something that is pleasing to the eye. It engages the viewer and it creates an inner sense of order, a balance in the visual experience. When something is not harmonious, it's either boring or chaotic. At one extreme is a visual experience that is so bland that the viewer is not engaged.

At the other extreme is a visual experience that is so overdone, so chaotic that the viewer can't stand to look at it. The human brain rejects under-stimulating information, and what it can't organize. The visual task requires that we present a logical structure. Color harmony delivers visual interest and a sense of order.


Monochromatic Colors
The monochromatic color scheme uses variations in lightness and saturation of a single color. This scheme looks clean and elegant. Monochromatic colors go well together, producing a soothing effect. The monochromatic scheme is very easy on the eyes.
 
                 
Analogous Colors
The analogous scheme uses colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel. One color is used as a dominant color while others are used to enrich the scheme.
 
                
Complementary Colors
The complementary color scheme consists of two colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. This scheme looks best when you place a warm color against a cool color, for example, red and green-blue, or violet and lime green. This scheme is intrinsically high-contrast.
 
                
Split Complementary Colors
The split complementary scheme is a variation of the standard complementary scheme. It uses a color and the two colors adjacent to its complementary. This provides high contrast without the strong tension of the complementary scheme.
 
                
Triadic Colors
The triadic scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel. This scheme is popular among artists because it offers strong contrast while retaining harmony and color richness.
 
                
Primary Colors
A combination of the pure hues of red, yellow, and blue.
 
                 
Secondary Colors
A combination of the secondary hues of green, violet, and orange.
 
                
Neutral Colors
Uses a hue which has been diminished or neutralized by the addition of its complement or black.

Copyright © 2007, Michele Quinn, www.vizuelle.com