Here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester, we know how challenging it can be to create a website that really stands out to your audience. From the layout and the navigation, to the imagery and the typography, there are many elements to take into consideration. One of the most crucial elements that is often overlooked is colour. But why is colour so important in web design? And what choices can you make to get your use of colour just right? Well, this is our guide to web design and colour trends.
Gradients
When you first think of colour gradients, you might not think that they should be used professionally. But currently, that is exactly what is happening. One of the biggest colour trends of this year is to use gradients for background elements, navigation bars, and even typography colour schemes. However, these gradients are gentle and faded out. Completely inoffensive. Fading from dark blue to light blue for example, seems to be a popular colour choice right now.
Bright colours
There is currently an increase in the number of websites using bold contrasting colours to create a memorable image or website experience. These include bright colours that would not have been used in the pastel pallette of the previous two years. So if your company branding can handle it, why not use some brighter colours to create a contrast? Of course, this won’t work for all companies, and it will depend almost entirely on your company colour scheme.
Colour and navigation
Colour doesn’t just make your website look great, it also helps your website visitors to navigate around your website. Using different colours for different webpage icons can help to not only split your navigation up visually, but make it easier for your potential customers to find what they are looking for. A colour co-ordinated website looks better, and works more efficiently. However, you should never rely on colour alone to help your users navigate your website, as many people are colour blind. This means that they might not be able t distinguish between the different colours.
Colour and typography
Another colour trend that is popular right now is to use a contrasting colour for the typography on your website, that is overlaid onto an image or coloured element. This use of contrasting colour can help your text to really pop, and be more memorable to your website visitors. However, we wouldn’t recommend that you overuse this technique, as it can be challenging on the eyes. Once per landing page is probably enough!
Purple Purple Purple
It’s all about the purple. Honestly, it has actually been voted colour of the year over in the US by leading multimedia graphics company Pantone. And so if you have been noticing an introduction of purple, violet and lavender hues across the web, that is probably why. While purple can be a marmite colour, it certainly grabs attention. And it seems web designers are taking the risk, and it’s paying off.
For more information or advice about web design and colour trends, get in touch with Manchester’s leading web design experts today, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester.