[IxDA Discuss] use of color in a web app

[Allison Beckwith]

On Feb 5, 2007, at 1:36 PM, jackbellis.com wrote:

> Allison,
> Can red work? Sure in the right hands, but let's recap: you're a  
> bunch of
> folks doing Ix but untrained in it, being given a web design from a  
> bunch of
> print folks. And you think that advice on link colors is the missing
> ingredient in this soup? I don't think so.

:-) I don't think so either. It just happens to be the one thing  
everyone is stuck on at the moment.

To clarify: We are a group of designers and developers, none of us  
formally trained in ixd (though we try and soak up as much as we can,  
whenever we can, because we are passionate about it). Our client  
hired a graphic design firm (we were not included in the decision  
making process), who seem to have little experience designing for the  
web. I am trying my best to work with the group I have been given,  
and to hopefully produce a great product in the end.

> Anyway, you've probably spelled out one of perhaps five or ten central
> struggles in Ix... aesthetics vs. web standards. (If you think the  
> current
> thread for 'best interaction designer' is long, let's hope they are  
> too
> distracted to read your post.) You are correct to identify the link  
> color as
> a problem particularly on an interactive site, but it is just a  
> sampling of
> what you're up against. I think that it is way down in the weeds  
> and you
> need to attempt to elevate the discussion to the authentic level of
> concern... whether functionality in its many forms (known UI concepts,
> accessibility, speed) and branding can play nice together on your  
> project.
> It won't be easy and you might be only the 10 millionth person to  
> fail at
> making the case, but you'll succeed or fail at the right goal.  
> Arguing link
> colors to a bunch of heathens is destined to get you stoned to death.

I have tried having this conversation with the client and with the  
designers, but I seem to be hitting a wall. Either they just don't  
get it, or I am doing a terrible job at explaining it. They have made  
significant changes to the design based on my feedback, but for some  
reason, they refuse to entertain the idea that color matters. You are  
right though, the stones have already started flying.

> And when your untrained group yields good and bad Ixers, post the  
> positive
> indicators to that other thread.

I would *love* to go back to school to study ixd (and related  
fields)... if only I could find some time away from my company. :-P   
This list has been great for finding resources to self-educate, and  
that particular thread has given me some good goals.

>
> Regards, www.jackbellis.com
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Allison Beckwith" <allison at planetargon.com>
>
>>> Anyhow, I am just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this. Can
>>> red work in this situation? Am I being too picky? And the bigger
>>> question seems to be, what are the best practices for choosing color
>>> for a web app?
>>
>
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