UNIT 1 > MODULE 2

Lesson 1: Color Theory in Web Design

Overview

The purpose of this lesson is to gain a general understanding of the concepts of color use in effective web design.

Learner Outcomes

At the completion of this exercise:

• you will have a better understanding of effective use of color on the web
• you will be aware of some excllent color-related resources

Activities

• Read all of the resources from the Resources section below.
• Reading Check: Respond to the following questions. Have your instructor review your answers.
  
  1. When 8 bits of memory are dedicated to each pixel, how many potential colors could be displayed on each pixel?
  2. What are the three basic colors that monitors transmit?
  3. How many different colors are there in the browser-safe palette?
  4. Describe the "compromise" or accomodation the Web Style Guide recommends for people with 256 color displays.
  5. Are the majority of people we refer to as color blind unable to see any color at all? Explain.
  6. According to the WebAIM site, what is the key concern when using colors to convey important information?

Resources/Online Documents

• Color Displays, from Web Style Guide
• Browser-safe colors, from Web Style Guide
• Dithering, from Web Style Guide
• WebAIM on Color Blindness

All done?

Great! Make sure your instructor has reviewed your answers to the Reading Check. Please proceed to the next lesson.

Copyright © 2006 by University of Washington. Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational, noncommercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged. This product was funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education (grant #H133D010306). However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume their endorsement.