Lesson 1: Color Theory in Web Design

Overview

The purpose of this lesson is to provide you with a general understanding of the role that color plays in effective web design.

Learner Outcomes

At the completion of this exercise:

• you will be able to explain the basic concepts related to using color and the web.
• you will be able to identify and make use of color related resources online
• you will be able to identify accessibility concerns related to color and implement key strategies to make sites accessible to people who are color blind

Activities

• Read all of the resources in the Resources section below.
• Reading Check: Respond to the following questions. Have your instructor review your answers.
  1. What are the three basic colors that monitors transmit?
  2. How many colors could be referenced by name (e.g., "red") in HTML 4.01?
  3. How many different colors are there in the "web-safe" palette?
  4. Are the majority of people we refer to as color blind unable to see any color at all? Explain.
  5. According to the WebAIM page on color blindness, what is the key to designing sites that are accessible to people who are color blind?

Resources/Online Documents

• Web Style Guide: Visual Design
• Wikipedia: Web Colors
• WebAIM: Color Blindness

All done?

Great! Make sure your instructor has reviewed your answers to the Reading Check. Please proceed to the next module.