You're thinking about getting a hybrid car – or, perhaps, you've already done it. It's just the first of many ways you're trying to be more "green." It's a term you may be tired of hearing, but it's not a term that seems to be going away anytime soon.
And that's a good thing, especially for Web designers.
According to the Color Marketing Group, a group that predicts color trends for everything from furniture to cars, the No. 1 hottest color category right now is "Looking 'Green.'" But the natural color schemes are not just for those material goods, they also translate well into the latest in Web design.
If you're designing a Web site for a new client – any client – you may want to consider making it look a little more natural. Add textures that represent pure cottons in soft linen colors. Use backgrounds that resemble things found in nature – maybe a white, sandy beach or a sky with a few puffy clouds. The most popular may be something with a
wooden feel.
Using more natural colors, including the obvious browns and greens, will work well. And there's no doubt they'll make your client happy. After all, who doesn't want to be on board with saving the planet?
Another up-and-coming trend that may or may not translate to the client at hand is the return of the 1980s. Think Revenge of the Nerds and those oh-so radical T-shirts with neon lines running across a black background.
The bright green that started to show itself in many designs as early as two years ago now is getting company from hot pink, neon orange and even a touch of that dreaded bright yellow I, personally, have tried to avoid.
So, if you're feeling hip and daring, try a 1980s flashback. You'll be right where the trends are going. Just leave the leg warmers in the closet.
REED'S BONUS TIP: Go custom
Some say stock photography is a thing of the past (That's so 2007!), but you really have to consider your client. If the idea of replacing real photos with cartoon people drawings and spray paint drippings – trends I'm certain will be out by the time the ball drops in Times Square later this year – seems a little far out for your client, well, you're probably right.
The solution? Bring on a professional to take custom photography. Yes, it may be a bit of an added expense up front, but consider the end value. Not only is your client getting updated, one-of-a-kind photography for their new-and-improved Web site, but they also have great custom photography for other print marketing materials. They even can take their digital images to a low-cost printer and create updated art for their office walls.
When planning for the photos, consider making them more personal and less corporate. For example, don't have your lawyer wearing a buttoned-up jacked sitting behind the desk. Instead, opt for an open jacket or -- dare I say it? – lose the jacket completely to achieve a more approachable look. Change the setting to in front of the office, in an elevator or shoot long down an interesting hallway.
Reed Dunn is creative director for Bizzuka, Inc.
