As a web designer, I like to let my clients provide me with their ideas on look and feel before I offer too much creative ideas. it not only lets them have some control, but also is important if they have an existing brand/image to keep consistent. So I often give them homework on picking out colors and text styles/fonts/typefaces. Often though, I do have to step in and offer resources such as in the cases where I have a client who wants to use a crazy font that is not standard on major web browsers.
Here is the advice I provide them in order to make informed decisions:
It's important to pick colors and fonts you like, or that you think can convey a certain feeling. Even if the choice seems uncommon. Nowadays too many web sites use blue, white, and grey for their colors. Why not choose something different?
If you want, you can think of how they fit with your business image/company when choosing them.
Don't over-analyze your choices. Go with a gut reaction as much as possible. But do try to stick with 1 or 2 main colors that would be used in major areas of the site, and then 1 or 2 accent colors. This gives you FOUR chances to use colors you like.
Think about all the areas you have on your site. Lots of possibilities to use color:
-accents
-logo or main title
-links to other pages or sites
-body text/heading text
-main color, or background color
Choosing fonts
Choosing a font can be daunting for some, but for most people, they know what they like, and what they don't like, in a typeface.
A simple rule is one stylish typeface/font to be used for site title/header title, and one plainer, more readable font, to be used as body text and navigational text or other area which should be plain and clear.
When getting started with people's sites, I let them do this part because your web site is--in a nutshell--yours.
It's also a business investment, so why not make it fit your company's look and feel?
So, just like shopping for furnishings/textles for a new house, this is your shopping trip for your new site. In return you get the "look" and "feel" that is truly your own.
If this part seems overwhelming at all, (for some it can be and I understand) I'll be glad to make some sensible choices in color and font for you when helping you with your web site project. Just let me know!
Either way, don't worry, I'll make everything look professional. It's my job!
The color numbers and font names you have chosen can be done so from the online charts below:
Colors
http://www.bwoodsdesign.com/Colorchart.htm
Fonts
http://www.fontscape.com/
Bobbi Jo Woods is a full time web designer & computer guru. For more articles like this and to see her work, you can visit www.bwoodsdesign.com.
Bobbi Jo Woods, CEO/Fanatic
B. Woods Design - Steering Professional Managed Websites for Business
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