Sebastian Lubbers' CMS 3710 Project 2 Analysis
Postcards From Yo Mama
Color
In Making the Invisible Visible, Eiseman states that there is a "psychological response" to color (147). PYFM’s color scheme utilizes very cool scheme causing the user to feel at ease while navigating the site. The two dominant colors in the site are a blue-green and a yellow-orange. While the colors are saturated from their primary counter-parts, these colors are complementary to one another. Eisenman states that "when subtlety is desired, the complementaries can be reduced in intensity or brightness" which is displayed well throughout PYFM (151). The subtlety of the colors helps brings out the dynamic nature of the content of the site and sets it in a relaxed frame.
(An example of the color scheme on PYFM)
The color scheme of PYFM reminds users of the soft, relaxing feelings that they have for their own mothers. If the color scheme had been bold red and black, the emotional trigger would be one of anger or malice (if PYFM ever decided to host a site about mother-in-laws, this color scheme would be considered). This phenomena falls under the cultural associations described by Eiseman, especially cultural associations (147). The subdued, light blue is a color associated with a baby boy’s room and the subdued, yellow-orange is a neutral color commonly found in nurseries. PYFM uses these colors knowing that there is a "cultural association" to be made with the concept of these colors bringing the images of childhood, and linking them to the users’ mothers. The lavender background of the site creates an "atmospheric perspective" and draws attention to the main content of the site (Sidebar: Color Terminology). In summary, the subdued colors of PYFM’s color scheme ties together with its theme. The concept creates a visual environment that is visually pleasant for its users, and follows the concepts of complementary colors.
Sebastian Lubbers
CMS 3710
Updated: 29 April 2010