One of the best things about recent website layouts and user experience design is how much more of a role is played by colour. The days of web-safe colours are gone, and we can focus on colour as a crucial design tool.
Here are a few things to keep in mind as you choose colours for your projects: first, go for colour contrast. Multiple system settings, plugins and glare protectors mean users today have total control over how their screens look – so it's vital to keep contrast in our designs.
But there's another reason why this is key: colour-blindness. There are plenty of types of this common impairment, and the more contrast between content and background colours, the less likely it is viewers will become unable to see content.
The days of web-safe colours are gone
Second, stray away from black and white. Warmer or cooler shades of dark greys and off-whites still provide ample contrast, can work better with monochromic tones or palettes, and look a bit more interesting.
Also avoid primary colours, which can give off an elementary school art class or 1990s web design vibe. With rgba() as a colour option (including transparencies) in CSS we can experiment a lot more!
Finally, use colour to draw the user's eye. Bold or unique colours can be used as a way to draw attention to actions (like buttons, clicks and so on) or to must- see and must-read content.
Similarly, colour hierarchy can come into play to set secondary content back so it supports (but doesn't distract from) the primary purpose of a page, section or module.
01. Pycon 2016
The site for Pycon 2016 is based around several inviting, bright shades of blue. The slate colour used for the darkest areas is a fresher look than black.
02. Details
Digital communications agency Details has gone for an unexpected colour palette full of vibrant, contrasting shades.
03. In Space We Trust
The site for art project In Space We Trust makes use of monochromatic gradients, paired with bright white, bold typography. Accent colours create interest.
This article was originally published in net magazine issue 280. Buy it here.
