One of the key elements of building a strong brand is color selection. It’s one of the most effective visual tools we have as designers. We are programmed to respond to color. It sets the tone of the brand. So, choose your colors wisely.
Most of our clients already have an identity set in place, but need to strengthen their online presence and overall brand. Each client is different, but one thing that remains constant is: less is more. Especially when it comes to color.
Selecting Your Palette
I usually try to stick to 1 or 2 colors for a site design.
1. Background Color/Image
- light or dark
- sets the overall presence
- allow photos / graphics to stand out
2. Accent Color
- needs to be prominent
- complimentary of the photos or images used
- used for links / buttons
Here are some great examples where color was kept at a minimum with beautiful results.
FIG. 1.1 - Nike Vision: Choose colors from hero photos/graphics.
FIG. 1.2 - Steinway: Creating a stylized background for the site and using that same color for text links.
FIG. 1.3 - Montana Tourism: When you have beautiful photography, you don’t need much of a color palette.
FIG. 1.4 - Action Method uses Black & Blue. Keeping it consistent, even with the products.
FIG. 1.5 - Marshall Headphones: Let the product be the focus.
FIG. 1.6 - TEDxPortland: Simple site but great use of bold color. (You have to check out the scroll effect!)
There are plenty of other sites that minimize color, but far more that don’t. So, the next time you are creating your color palette, please restrain from using every crayon in the box.
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