Web design colour schemes and the rule of three

Creating a website that will stand out, grab attention, and make a statement can be more difficult than it sounds. Especially when you consider the sheer volume of websites online, and the amount of competitors your company might have. But one way to make sure your website makes its mark, is to design your website based around a solid colour scheme. And here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester, we are Manchester’s leading web design experts. And we work with companies and business in a variety of sectors, to produce stunning web design solutions. AS a result, we have produced this guide to web design colour schemes and the rule of three.

Web design colour schemes and the rule of three

So first of all, what exactly is the rule of three? Well, the rule of three involves choosing three different colours, as a maximum, to use to build your website. It’s the same idea used by interior designers to get high end properties to look even better. And it’s actually pretty simple to implement. You simply choose one colour as your primary colour, and then pick two other colours that complement this. It’s really important to choose complementary colours, as opposed to contrasting colours, as this will be easier for your users to enjoy. And the colours wont be fighting for attention on the page.

Using three colours across your website

Once you have chosen the three colours, that’s it. You shouldn’t add in any extras when you are following the rule of three. But remember, rules are made to be broken. And there is certainly no wrong answer. So if you want to add more, go ahead. But this rule wont be applicable.

The primary colour you selected, is going to become your “hero” colour. And the other two colours will be used to underpin this primary colour. Or to draw attention to certain elements. So how does this work across your website? Well, here are some ideas:

  • use the primary colour for your website background
  • use one of the other two colours for your headings, to really attract attention to what you have to say
  • use the final colour to border images, again to divert attention to the image and lead the website visitor around the website
  • use one of the other two colours to be the background for the call to action button. This means that when a user is quickly flicking through your web page, the call to action button will stand out immediately, without being offensive to the rest of your design
  • use the other colour for your icons instead of boring black. This will help unite the visual icons with the rest of your design, and draw attention at the same time

Choosing the three colours

When you are choosing which three colours to use, always start by picking the primary colour first. It is important that the rest of the colours follow, and compliment, this colour. You should also consider:

  • Your company branding- your website needs to represent your company. So if you have a logo and an identity set up already, you need to choose these colours, if suitable
  • Your company personality- different companies have different personalities. If you are aiming to be a fun, creative company, you need fun and creative colours. On the other hand, a more serious website would benefit from refined colours.

For more information or advice, get in touch with the experts today here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester.