motivations for color selection
 

when your doing designs, what motivates you to select certain colors such as background, text, links, graphics etc.

Is there any particular science to color selection to motivate surfers to buy?

I think all these sites & tgp alot of the times look so girly & feminine. If the target is male, why make the site so girly looking? I can see the reasoning for it on a solo girls site, to make it look personal as her website, but I dont get why some tgp want to look so girly with flowers & shit?

Does all the feminine design make the surfer hornier? Does it make him buy a membership? Do you really think the surfer thinks a girl made the website. (Alot of times this certainly may be true)


I hate making sites with pink & shit.
What about dark colors. Do sales suffer when a site or page is done in dark colors?

Interesting site about colour psychology...

Something that isn't mentioned in that article is that blue suppresses people's libido, red enhances it. I tried an experiment a while back - I created several galleries that were identical except for the background colour. The red one had more clickthru's to the sponsor (light blue has the least), but the conversion rate at the sponsor was roughly the same regardless of the gallery colour...

thanks for the link. this helps me make a decision :)

interesting thread, I would also want to know more about choosing the best color.

If it's for a single girl site, it gotta be girly ... but I agree, I tend to do that too ... pink is used a lot in my designs

according to the article in the link above, shades of red seem to have effects on libido, & shades of orange seem to have some sort of affect on spending. I found it interesting that orange makes people feel that something is less expensive.

hmmm..less expensive...or cheap? I'll have to have a look at that site :)

For those really wanting to delve into the effects and applications of color:

http://www.colormatters.com/research/nrl_ebrand.pdf

http://www.colormatters.com/khouw.html

And if you are willing to be transparrent TAKE THIS COLOR TEST and post the results:

http://www.saunalahti.fi/jawap/colour/colortest.html

Here are my...somewhat disturbing results:


1. DESIRED OBJECTIVES OR BEHAVIOR DICTATED BY DESIRED OBJECTIVES.
Takes easily and quickly to anything which provides stimulation. Preoccupied with things of an
intensely exciting nature, whether erotically stimulating or otherwise. Wants to be regarded as an
exciting and interesting personality with an altogether charming and impressive influence on others.
Uses tactics cleverly so as to avoid endangering his chances of success or undermining others
confidence in himself.

2. THE EXISTING SITUATION OR BEHAVIOR APPROPRIATE TO THE EXISTING SITUATION.
Attracted by anything new, modern or intriguing. Liable to be bored by humdrum, the ordinary or
the traditional.

3. CHARACTERISTICS UNDER RESTRAINT OR BEHAVIOR INAPPROPRIATE
TO THE EXISTING SITUATION.
The situation is preventing him from establishing himself, but he feels he must make the best of
things as they are.

Remains emotionally unattached even when involved in a close relationship.

4. REJECTED OR SUPPRESSED CHARACTERISTICS OR ANXIETY-LADEN CHARACTERISTICS.
Suppression of the physical and nervous requirements of the body. The existing situation is
disagreeable. Has an unsatisfied need to ally himself with others whose standards are as high as
his own, and to stand out from the rank and file. His control of his sensual instincts restricts his
ability to give himself, but the resulting isolation leads to the urge to surrender and allow himself to
merge with another. This disturbs him, as such instincts are regarded as weaknesses to be
overcome; he feels that only by continued selfrestraint can he hope to maintain his attitude of
individual superiority. Wants to be loved or admired for himself alone; needs attention, recognition
and the esteem of others. Demands esteem as an exceptional individual

5. THE ACTUAL PROBLEM OR BEHAVIOR RESULTING FROM STRESS.
Greatly impressed by the unique, by originality and by individuals of outstanding characteristics. Tries
to emulate the characteristics he admires and to display originality in his own personality.

Takes a delight in action and wants to be respected and esteemed for his personal accomplishments.

here is my results, they are actually pretty right on:

1. DESIRED OBJECTIVES OR BEHAVIOR DICTATED BY DESIRED OBJECTIVES.
Longs for sensitive and sympathetic understanding and wants to protect himself against argument,
conflict or any exhausting stresses

2. THE EXISTING SITUATION OR BEHAVIOR APPROPRIATE TO THE EXISTING SITUATION.
Works well in co-operation with others. Needs a personal life of mutual understanding and freedom
from discord.

3. CHARACTERISTICS UNDER RESTRAINT OR BEHAVIOR INAPPROPRIATE
TO THE EXISTING SITUATION.
The situation is preventing him from establishing himself, but he feels he must make the best of
things as they are.

4. REJECTED OR SUPPRESSED CHARACTERISTICS OR ANXIETY-LADEN CHARACTERISTICS.
Stress resulting from disappointment and watchful self-protection against further setback. Unfulfilled
hopes have led to uncertainty and a tense watchfulness. Insists on freedom of action and resents
any form of control other than that which is self-imposed. Unwilling to go without or to relinquish
anything and demands security as a protection against any further setback or loss of position and
prestige. Doubts that things will be any better in the future and this negative attitude leads him to
exaggerate his claims and to refuse reasonable compromises. Watchful and retentive.

5. THE ACTUAL PROBLEM OR BEHAVIOR RESULTING FROM STRESS.
Seeks to avoid criticism and to prevent restriction of his freedom to act, and to decide for himself by
the exercise of great personal charm in his dealings with others.

Fears that his independence will be threatened or severely restricted unless he protects himself from
any outside influence. Does not want to be bothered.

1. GRAY 2. BLUE 3. VIOLET 4. BROWN 5. RED 6. GREEN 7. YELLOW 8. BLACK
1. VIOLET 2. GRAY 3. RED 4. BLUE 5. BROWN 6. GREEN 7. YELLOW 8. BLACK

that is so right on, it should be my motto....wow, that is pretty cool

What's up Jace! Pretty wild stuff...It was a little hard to read when my results came up but you are right...its pretty damn accurate.