From: "Kel Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

: Two things I would also think about, and these are very general
: (since I don't know the specifics of your client/project). One:
: color has different meanings in different cultures. For example, in
: the US red means danger or warning; in China, it means good luck. If
: your app is intended for international audiences, that's something
: to consider.

Hi Kel

Totally agree with your point about thinking about colourblindness.

And also definitely agree that it's worth thinking about the different 
meanings of colours in different cultures. Particularly if our notion 
of 'culture' is established by carefully researching the actual 
audiences that the site (or whatever product) is aimed at.

Only, do be wary about the advice on colour that you see, especially 
if it's sweepingly based on different countries having views on 'the 
meaning' of colours.

For example:
http://webdesign.about.com/od/color/a/aa072604.htm
"in the East, white is the color of funerals while in the West white 
is the color of Weddings".

Well, it is and it isn't. You should see the Chinese brides in Hong 
Kong lining up in their white meringue frocks in the prettiest public 
park to have their photos taken, just like they do right here in the 
UK. Point being: white isn't only the colour of funerals in the East. 
And white isn't only the colour of weddings in the West. And "the 
East" and "the West" are rather crazily wide concepts. Where does 'the 
West' start and end? Iceland? Mexico? Greece? Do all of those 
countries react similarly? And what about (say) hip young web 
designers compared to seniors in all of those countries?

A few years ago, there used to be a piece of advice on colour that was 
widely circulated but based its advice for the UK on colour ideas 
taken from the times of the Tudors: several centuries out of date.

Best,

Caroline Jarrett
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
01525 370379

Effortmark Ltd
Usability - Forms - Content 


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