Neverside

When Black Is Not Black

Just enjoyed the blog post over at superfluous banter:
http://superfluousbanter.org/archives/000189.php

Thought I'd share the concept.
William

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I can't remember the last time I used black on white.
For one, it's common and a lot of people use it. Doing web design, you have to do something that sets your site apart from others, make it memorable.

Just like all the templated sites out there with 3 column layout. Be original.
I've been working on a new design technique. Diagonal layout. It's not very easy using CSS2, but may be able to get it to work better when CSS3 is released and supported better.

I personally agree with the comment made about using some colour, even if it only slightly adds or varies to the blacks and greys. I can understand why people would hate black on white, but wouldn't it be more because it is so common and not that it "hurts the eyes"?

I think that black on white is used to often because it's just easy to do and people know that for the most part it's easy to read. When you start adding colour you can come up with some undesired results that will turn people away from your website. Colour theory is a very tricky subject and a great one to debate.

I think that this is rather stupid. It's a reflection of the designers own personal aesthetic, and I hardly believe that anyone will feel threatened because they won't read his blog simply based on the contrast between text and background color.

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Free-Speed Nation

Quote:

Originally posted by Sykil
I think that this is rather stupid. It's a reflection of the designers own personal aesthetic, and I hardly believe that anyone will feel threatened because they won't read his blog simply based on the contrast between text and background color.

::classic: Well said.

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"Hey, **** YOU!"

This is just and example.
This is my own personal aesthetic. How long are you going to want to read it?
http://www.fusion-zero.com/color.html

A good reason why personal asthetics may not always be a good choice if you want readability.

Quote:

Originally posted by akdov
This is just and example.
This is my own personal aesthetic. How long are you going to want to read it?
http://www.fusion-zero.com/color.html

Um, for one, I can read it, maybe not easily, but it is readable. Secondly, it's easily hilighted using the mouse, which is what I usually do anyway when I'm reading. It wouldn't make me want to read it any less if it had good content, but that's just me. Lastly, the issue of the article there was contrast, but sure, if that's your aesthetic, then so be it.

Quote:

Originally posted by Micah
A good reason why personal asthetics may not always be a good choice if you want readability.

It depends what that person's aesthetic is.

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Free-Speed Nation

Last edited by Sykil, May 22nd, 2004 08:51 AM (Edited 1 times)

All excellant points have been made.

My view is that as DESIGNERS we should be concerned with contrast and aesthetics. We should be aware of the statistics surrounding visual impairments
And yes would should have the ability to control these aspects of our design. One of the very first rules you learn in web design is know your audience. We should design accordingly. If I am designing a rock or rap music radio station website Natuarally it will be bold color schemes with high contrast but if I am designing for my local eye doctor HEY better break out my VISIBONE Color Chart with color blind pallet.

It is just another facet of web design.

William

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depends on the site. If you ask me

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People without self-doubt scare me.
The world is my country, science is my religion. - Christiaan Huygens
“Don’t take refuge in the false security of consensus.”

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