Choosing the Right Web Design Palette
One of the most effective ways of luring in new clients with design is through the use of color. Whether you're proposing a new company logo, web design or various other projects, colors can stimulate the reactions of prospective buyers. As the designer, choosing the right tonal balance is key to producing a quality design both you and your client will be proud of. With millions of shades and variations available, knowing how to use and combine colors is crucial to creating the most effective design.
When setting up any proposal, it's important to ask your client what the company outlook represents to help you best determine the color palette for the job. This will enable you to utilize colors affectively and bring the ideas of the company to life. Typically, a controlled color palette will allow a product to stand out rather than become lost around an overpowered design. Therefore, it's best to explain to your client while maintaining their vision is imperative, there is a difference between limiting color and limiting design. A concise palette will restrict the chance for an excess of color while highlighting the product and keeping the look refined.
For instance, if your client owns a day spa and gym and wants a tranquil and relaxing design to reflect the business, a color palette of light blues, greens and / or neutrals will probably work best. However, if the same client would rather showcase the health and fitness side of the spa, more vibrant colors like reds and yellows might be a better alternative.
Since shades that resemble water like aqua and teal tend to be promote recreation and leisure, they have become prime colors for designers and clients alike. Choosing the right tones might be just what your design needs to stand out from the competition. By using soft tones, designs will me more fluid and appealing but can very easily get lost in a sea of unoriginality. As the one with the vision, pump up your ideas and take risks. Utilizing bright colors to attract attention can bring your designs to the top of the list so do not be afraid. Just make sure you choose sparingly. A combination of bright blue, neon green and sun kissed yellow may reflect clients away more than entice them in.
But it's pretty clear, no matter what colors you use, drafting an eye-catching design can be tricky if the combination of two or three colors is less than perfect. If a client thinks five or six colors are necessary to the overall image, chances are you will need to explain the look will be too vibrant. The print work could appear a little amateur and the corresponding web design might have prospective customers questioning the company's level of professionalism. While red, for example, will balance out yellow, it will be difficult for it to counter act purple, blue and green all at the same time. Picking one complimentary color like a shade of golden yellow will finish off the design and pick up the red beautifully.
You should also be careful where colors are used. If you find you can not read your logo because the font is too light, what makes you think anyone else can? Do not make it harder for them to understand because if they can not read it, they will most likely move on. Instead, use darker shades for the best legibility.
All in all, the key to choosing the right color palette coming by knowing your client's target audience and the company's mission. Something that will appeal to teenagers will most likely not resonate well with the business clad. With this, choose colors wisely. Including multiple objects in different colors will not only look bad, but will clutter a consumers thoughts. At the end of the day, a well thought out design will go further than any neon sign or bad color combination so make smart decisions from the very beginning.
