What's Your Color Story?
We naturally associate colors with emotions because it is hard to put words to what we are feeling. The colors in your design need to be purposeful and have meaning in their use. They tell your story before words do.
Red
Red is an emotionally intense color. It enhances human metabolism, increases respiration rate, and raises blood pressure. It has very high visibility, which is why stop signs, stoplights, and fire equipment are usually painted red. It is also used to indicate courage.
Green
Green has great healing power. It is the most restful color for the human eye; it can improve vision. Green suggests stability and endurance. It is also symbolic of growth and hope. Green means safety; it is the color of free passage in road traffic.
Orange
Orange gives the sensation of heat, but is not as aggressive as red. It increases oxygen supply to the brain, produces an invigorating effect, and stimulates mental activity. Orange is the color of fall and harvest. It is also symbolic of strength and endurance.
Yellow
Yellow produces a warming effect, arouses cheerfulness, stimulates mental activity, and generates muscle energy. Bright, pure yellow is an attention getter, which is why taxicabs are painted this color. It is also symbolic of honor and loyalty.
Blue
Blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. It slows human metabolism and produces a calming effect. It is strongly associated with tranquility and calmness. It is also used to symbolize allegiance and sincerity.
White
White is associated with light, goodness, innocence, and purity. It is considered to be the color of perfection. White can represent a successful beginning, or depict faith and purity. White implies safety, purity, and cleanliness.
Purple
Purple combines the stability of blue and the energy of red, and is associated with royalty. It symbolizes power, nobility, luxury, and ambition. It conveys wealth and extravagance. Purple is associated with dignity, mystery, and magic.
Black
Black is associated with power, elegance and formality. It is a mysterious color associated with fear and the unknown. It denotes strength and authority, and is considered to be a formal, elegant, and prestigious color.
What Colors Speak To You?
Choosing an appropriate color combination in the design process is considered one of the most important (yet often overlooked) elements in creating a successful design. In fact, psychologists have revealed that people are susceptible on a subconscious level to color impressions, and over 60% of acceptance or rejection of a website is tied to this very fact. Choice of color has the ability to generate a positive impact to the visitor and, as a result, make the visitor stay longer. The most impactful websites are the ones that keep the use of color to a minimum. As a rule, I recommend that your website employ the use of 2–3 colors at a maximum. Often the biggest statement your site can make is in its simplicity.