Emotional Colors of the Web
by: William Nabaza
In many ways, the web is the ultimate medium. It
lets you communicate with anyone anywhere at anytime. We can safely say
that the web can be the fourth medium after print, radio, and television.
It has since replaced the old ideas, challenged conventional wisdom, and
delivered the most up-to-date, dynamic, helpful, extensive information
right in your desktop.
Before, I just treated the web as an electronic
brochure with no power in itself to convey messages emotionally to the
surfers. Now with the advent of interactivity and customization brought
about by connection of databases to the web, web surfers now can relate
and actively experience the message.
They can “join” a community, club, post to an interactive
forum and even get lost in the millions of chat rooms scattered all over
the web. On all of these events, the webmaster should be the overseer
who monitors every move of her or his web site. To us, the modern web
site has become a living creature and we should take our position as its
creator.
We should strive to emotionally appeal to our visitors
and it will be reflected in our web site. Our web site will not only deliver
the goods but also provide a satisfying and rich experience that adds
value to the user's life.
People are emotional beings. To reach them we must
learn to convey emotions through our web site. Creativity, mailing lists,
rewards, online utilities, and other interactivity help promote the friendliness
of the site. Imagine a web site that consists only of three pages: a home
page, a products and services page, and a contact information section
will help meet the needs of a robot. However, a web site that overflows
with activities is very inviting to people who seek relationship (friendship,
lovers and even enemies) and you do not have to invite them for more.
How can we convey the emotion?
Colors can be one way. Bright colors stimulate activity and subdued colors
encourage reflection. Oranges can be inspirational. Blues deliver soothing
experience. Reds inspire us to do something. Corporate web sites can have
the blues. "Techie" sites can adopt the black. Promotional web
site can use yellows and orange.
Web Typography is very important too. Each type
of font (serif, sans serif and scripted) speaks in a different tone of
voice and with personality. It also adds intonation and expressiveness.
A serified face is classical and conservative. Sans serif is contemporary
and flexible. Bold text is important and loud. Italicized text emphasizes
a thought. More than two typefaces make the page look busy and may diffuse
your message as if you are mixing several voices.
All of these factors combined together will make
a web site have the same impact as the most attention-grabbing billboard
and the most enlightening conversation simultaneously.
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