(Shelly Cashman Series) Gary B. Shelly, H. Albert Napier, Ollie N. Rivers-Web design_ introductory concepts and techniques -Cengage Learning (2008)

106 Chapter 4 Planning a Successful Web Site: Part 2
DESIGN
TIP
Limit your Web site color scheme to three major colors. Choose a text color for
titles, headlines, and so forth to attract the appropriate amount of attention. Test
the background and text colors in your color scheme to ensure both on-screen
readability and print legibility.
Another way to choose an effective color scheme with appropriate contrast between
background and text colors is to use inexpensive color matching software, such as Color
Scheme Designer ® , Color Wheel Pro ® , ColorShade ® , or Color Cache ® . Color
matching software contains tools you can use to create sample Web site color schemes
based on color theory, preview the color schemes in a browser, and then apply the colors
in the selected scheme to your Web pages.
In Chapter 3, you were introduced to an ongoing scenario, in which you are a Web
designer developing a Web site for a specific client. Continuing this scenario, you and the
client meet to discuss potential color schemes that promote professionalism and the serious
tone of the site’s retirement planning content. To assist in the discussion, the client
brings samples of the company’s print media — for example, letterhead, business cards,
brochures — that illustrate the company’s branding specifications for the use of color.
Based on this material and your discussion with the client, you use color matching software
to create several sample Web site color schemes for the client’s review and approval,
including the sample shown in Figure 4-7.
sample color scheme
developed in color
matching software
sample color
scheme displayed
in browser
Figure 4-7 Color matching software can be used to develop a Web site’s color scheme based on
color theory.
DESIGN
TIP
Images that you include on Web pages, such as clip art, illustrations, and
photos, will add more color to your pages. Choose images with colors that match
or complement your site’s color scheme.