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27 Comments
- Jabrams2, on 01/29/2009, -0/+11I have to say, this is an incredibly comprehensive breakdown of the use of colors in corporate branding. good stuff
- bixby1, on 01/29/2009, -1/+4 I thought this was pretty comprehensive
- newl, on 01/30/2009, -0/+3From the summary, "impact that website color schemes have on the overall branding of a company".
A web site should utilize color schemes from branding that has already been established, not the other way around.
In the real world, branding and design are done BEFORE any online or offline is considered. Online and offline are then part of the strategy that is planned out ahead of time. - HastyNameChoice, on 01/30/2009, -0/+3There was some good information in this article, but I think that the writer's discernment is lacking in some areas. McDonalds have used black to position themselves as more premium and quality, and both McDonalds and Coke have avoided large swathes of red because it would be garish and ugly. The use of block neutrals such as the grey and blacks cited are both contemporary and aesthetically a much better idea than the writer's suggested blues and reds. It's not the amount of colour you use, but the way in which you use it. Brand recognition is important, but brand creation is a perpetual process too - brands must evolve, adapt and remain relevant.
- souLLy, on 01/30/2009, -0/+3Terrible article, the conclusion being 'it's important for designers to use the same colours everywhere, cuz then stuff all matches lulz'. Some really uninspiring choices of companies too.
- liquisoft, on 01/30/2009, -0/+2I disagree that this is comprehensive.
As somebody who actually does corporate branding for a living, I can tell you that color use is definitely initially based upon subliminal qualities of colors. But this article focuses on websites that use colors derived from a company's branding guide. As such, they're almost all complementary in some way (not in the literal color sense; more in the sense of them working to complement the primary branding colors). In this case, it comes down to contrast and how one can make the company's logo stand out well but also direct a user through a website's information, at which point it's more about UI flow than anything else. - RandomRage, on 01/30/2009, -0/+2Red is murder on the eyes on video screens, and a hard-to-use design color. I'm typing this next to a bright red Netflix ad that looks like a visual blight on Digg. The internet equivalent of a tattoo parlor with a strobe light in the window. McDonald's is reducing the use of red in their branding overall, not just in their website, and Coca-Cola red is a very specific color that would look terrible as a background. It'd be almost as bad if T-Mobile ramped-up the use of their Magenta as a site background (although not QUITE as bad).
- HastyNameChoice, on 01/30/2009, -0/+1Random - yeah, agreed. the writer's discernment is questionable in a few areas- suggesting coke and mcdonalds plaster their sites with red is a terrible idea. See my comments below re the use of modern neutrals and the need for brands to evolve if you're interested...
- torrbarra, on 01/30/2009, -0/+1And bigger logo! BIGGER!
The design and color choice should communicate the brand's core values, NOT obvious copying of graphical details. - kevinkace, on 01/30/2009, -0/+1Very lacking.
Here's a site that uses red, they should use more. Here's a site that uses orange, good job. Here's a site that uses blue, why?
WOW! - Caislean, on 01/30/2009, -0/+1His solution to everything is: "Slap a logo at the top and change the background color." Great idea for an article, but the author comes across as ignorant and un-inventive.
- jjintheuk, on 01/30/2009, -1/+2Interesting article, a good look at many big websites.
However this is just an opinion, I disagree with some of their comments - for example the CocaCola site. - xxNIRVANAxx, on 01/30/2009, -1/+2Don't dig Ford, their hole is deep enough already...
- BrettFromTibet, on 01/29/2009, -2/+3Cool article about the unconscious implications of color choices
- KevInTx, on 01/30/2009, -0/+1From some of the negative comments, I think some people have missed the point of this article, which, IMHO, is "If your corporate brand has a strong relationship to a given color (or selection of colors), it is a good idea to reinforce that branding color choice in your web design."
- artyou, on 01/30/2009, -0/+0Cool digg... Hmm... I do agree that the McDonald one was a bit out of place... But if you keep using the same colors all over the place everywhere it would look too dull... Sometimes using different colors should be ok if it complements the main colors and doesn't make you lose sight of the branding, or it makes the website just look nicer...
- graphire, on 01/30/2009, -0/+0yes color is one major factor not just for websites but for everything else branding. But still as far as websites are concerned, content is king.
- crowdadmin, on 01/29/2009, -1/+1Stands out as ever
- mparker21311, on 01/30/2009, -1/+0Dug for Ford...
- JackpotCity, on 01/30/2009, -1/+1This makes for a very interesting read, thanks. I am always amazed at the kind of messaging a colour can convey, however subtle.
- anlinsquall, on 01/30/2009, -0/+0Very informative article. I was difficult in choosing color. Now, I know a little bit about color and branding. Thanks, author ! !
- tgc1, on 01/30/2009, -2/+1As a designer and developer, I agreed with what was said. McDonalds web site is not very consistent with their branding. The black makes it look bleak and dull. Most would expect a dark red background followed by white content area and some yellow accents w/ the golden arches.
Same with Coke. Their web site is inconsistent with their brand. - querier, on 02/02/2009, -1/+0Do you have a business or a website and want to promote it? Querier.net gives you the chance to be interviewed like celebrities for FREE to talk about your business, experiences, designs, website or your blog, Then your interview will be published and you will have fun sharing it with friends or publish it on your website !
- froggertv, on 01/30/2009, -2/+1very good article............
- RandomRage, on 01/29/2009, -4/+1Comprehensive, sure...but that doesn't mean that I agree with it.
- redhotkurt, on 01/30/2009, -4/+0Generic spam comment!
- RandomRage, on 01/29/2009, -8/+3Meh. The author doesn't seem to know that McDonald's is moving away from red in their branding, and I disagree with some of his commentary (specifically the criticism of UPS's branding).
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