The Colour Green in Web Design

No doubt, the use of the colour green in web design is related to the environmental concept.

Definition of the colour green

Green is not a primary colour, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan. Green is considered one of the additive primary colours.

The use of green in web design

Green is an effective colour that is so commonly used in modern web design. It is probably because of the awareness of a global trend of environmentalism. Effectual green design may integrate simultaneously with other supporting colours to display a symphonic arrangement of shades, tints, tones and complementary colours to tantalise and maintain interest.

The psychological impact of the colour green can be applied to advertising, corporate identity and electronic media. Industrial manufacturers trying to boost their revenue through internet sales and marketing, may find that implementing green in their websites could be helpful.

Many designers reveal that their call-to-action button receives more clicks and attention when they are green in colour. This could be an impending trend in the web design industry of focusing on the colour green to attract visitors.

Why choose green?

Visual receptors have specific characteristics and limitation that are common to most people and they are most sensitive to middle frequencies, such as green.

Green is a complex colour with many uses and explicit meanings of which you can draw on to focus a designer’s skills. Green makes things appear natural, fresh and ecologically beneficial. When equipment is painted green in an industrial environment, the illusion of safety and normality is fostered. This environment tends to make people feel clean and that their personal health is not at risk.

People often find the colour green in relaxing and refreshing imagery. When someone thinks of green, they will usually think of the outdoors and plants. The calming aspects of this colour lends itself to relaxation and tranquillity.

Green maximises readability and minimises optical fatigue, which is a critical factor in web design. It also draws the eye to the most important areas on a small or large screen and sustains visual interest with it.

Green is also the colour of money, nature and environment. Most websites that are going green in their design, the imagery and overall style are either corporate sites or deal directly with the environment and nature in some way.

The benefits of the colour green

Green has a significant psychological impact on the human mind and is popular in most cultures. It is the most soothing colour to the eye and can aid in the healing process. Green lowers blood pressure, relaxes the nervous system, calms and soothes the mind, stimulates creativity and is an appetite suppressant. Green is easy on the eye and can improve vision. Images set in green backgrounds seem farther away.

Green is also known to have a soothing effect on humans. It is known to reduce the levels of anger and frustration more than any other colour. The reason why you feel attracted to grass is because of your body’s affinity to its green colour. The scientific reasoning behind this superstition may be that the colour green usually calms the nerves. Green is the most restful colour to the eye, requiring no adjustment of the retina to focus on it. That’s why nature is predominantly green.

Green can also reduce stress, while it balances and soothes emotions. It helps anyone suffering from anxiety and depression.

Green light is considered to have beneficial effects on people with heart ailments and cancer. However, be warned, too much green can cause feelings of envy, resentment and possessiveness!

Different shades of green in web design

Green is a useful marketing tool for organic, healthy and natural “green” products. However, not all shades of green fit the same bill. We have to use green sparingly, and if used properly, it can be a great ally in website design.

• Dark green

  Most commonly associated with money and ambition. It is popular with corporate websites. It can also be used to promote concentration and give visitors a sense of prestige, power and substance on the site.

• Bright  green

  This type of green may be used to represent bright green environmentalism and is projected as lively, energetic and daring.

• Celadon

  Celadon is a pale tint of spring green. It is most commonly used in Chinese, Korean and Japanese art and spread to the other Asian cultures, as they are perceived as a quiet elegance that is “beyond description”.

• Yellow green / lime green

  This colour should be used carefully, as it’s often linked with sickness and nausea. It is ideal to use it in health product sites or non-food related sites. However, refrain from using this colour for promoting food products, as it’s an appetite depressant.

• Olive green

  Generally pleasing to the eye, it symbolises peace and can be used liberally. However, it may have military overtones for some people.

• Blue green

  It is the most accepted type of green and it’s appealing across both gender lines.

Using green with other colours

Green also works well with other complementary colours too. Complementary colours are opposites on the colour wheel. Knowing this, when organising your website, it’s always good to keep in mind that darker colours are easier to see than lighter ones.

Additionally, be careful when using too many colours on the website. The ideal option, to begin experimenting with what you can do using different shades, is to use two complementary colours first.

Now, here’s how green works with other colours.

• Green with blue

  This combination produces echoes of nature, water and forest. It also symbolises freshness, growth and can denote new beginnings.

• Green with brown, tan or beige

  This combination says organic or recycled and can be a good colour combination for packaging those types of products.

• Green with yellow and black/white

  Tricolour combinations of green with yellow and black or white are sporty, outdoor colours.

• Green with purple or red

  Green with these two colours can be highly contrasting, lively and arousing.

• Lime green with orange and yellow

  Lime green with orange and yellow is a fresh and fruity palette which appears health conscious.

SOURCE: Onextrapixel