Web design trends and choices are always changing and evolving, often cycling back round in some form or another. One of these returning trends is the use of colour gradients. But instead of thinking of the psychedelic colour clashes of the past, colour gradients, or colours fading into one another, are now much more subtle. In fact, you might not have even noticed the comeback. But this subtle application of fading colours in web design is proving to be highly effective for companies and businesses across the board. Here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester, we are Manchester’s leading web design professionals. From Wigan to Southport, we work with companies across Manchester and the surrounding region to deliver high quality web design solutions that really get results. As a result, we have produced this guide to using fading colours in web design.
Fading colours in web design
Colours fading from one to another is not a new design trend. In fact, its not just an old idea, it is widely regarded as a bad one too. Colours clashing across your page might sound cool and interesting, but actually it can be overbearing and potentially overwhelming. However, applying this idea to shades of the same colour, to add subtle hints of colour, is a new and effective way to use this technique. The human eye is pre-programmed to notice slight variations in colour and shade, even between different shades of grey. And this slight difference is much more effective for peaking the interest of potential customers, than a glaring and obvious colour change. That’s why colour fading, from a deep colour, to a pale shade of the same colour is redefining what a colour gradient means in terms of web design.
Using fading colours in web design
So, how can you use fading colours to your benefit, across your website? Well, there are several options, including:
- Coloured overlays- sliding over your images, coloured overlays can be very effective. These generally fade the colour in the image to a paler shade of the colour, until a user hovers over the image, when the overlay then becomes a bolder, brighter colour. Of course, for mobile users this will not be effective, as they cannot hover over an image. Instead, a read more button can be applied, which when clicked, can open a caption space, using the same overlay technique. This change can also reward users for their interaction and provide positive feedback.
- Background colours- fading colours from a bold shade, to a pale shade can be very effective for background colours. Whether this is applied horizontally, fading across the page, or vertically, fading as the user scrolls down, this background choice can create a stunning visual effect. This will make users more interested in your content, and it will help to keep their attention as they interact with your website.
For more information or advice, or for high quality, professional web design solutions, get in touch with the experts today, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester.