How to make good color themes?

[Atomic-Design]

Hi,

I'm a complete fool when it comes to color themes. How do you make great looking websites? Are there any generic rules? Is there such a thing called Color Theory?

[Laurey]

Yes, there is such a thing as color theory.. a search on google turns up a lot, but here are a couple links:

http://www.color-wheel-pro.com/color-theory-basics.html
http://www.visibone.com/colorlab/
http://www.saumag.edu/art/studio/chalkboard/c-wheel.html

the last one lets you play w/the colors :)

something else to keep in mind, different colors give different expectations & feelings, ie:

blues and grays tend to come across as 'professional' tones, exuding knowledge, calm, and accuracy.

Reds, oranges and other 'autumn' colors tend to excite (or make hungry - one reason almost every fast food sign you see are these colors).

tans and pastels give a 'home-y' feel, can assist your user in feeling more comfortable.

black with bright colors is also a 'excite' color technique which lead to expectation (why many gamer sites use them).

The best 'put together' sites I see either take one color and go up & down the ranges for their site. ie: all blues, all greens, but various hue's of said color scheme.

or

3 complimentary colors, only going one shade to either side in each color for tonal differences.

there's much info about color theory to be found.. just run a google on it ;)

hth some,
Laurey

[Atomic-Design]

Thanks a lot Laurey! I didn't even think about searching. I wonder why...

[Laurey]

probably because it was too obvious (Lord knows that's usually my problem <G>)

glad I could help ;)
-L

[brianoakes]

Here is a study I did based on color theory and psychology.

It lists the positive and negative feelings associated with different colors.


http://briandoakes.com/creative/color.htm

[Laurey]

Nice page Brian! The info, though basic, is quick to read through to get a good feel - and matches (for the most part) what I've learned of color theory.

nice layout as well..thanks for sharing!
-L

*edit* Seahawks? interesting... *edit*