Link colors: Spool's usability study reveals a minor correlation between the use of browser-default link colors and the ease of use (Spool 85). Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator both use underlined blue text to represent unvisited links and underlined purple text for visited links. Spool theorizes that the use of default link colors is helpful because users don't have to relearn the color scheme every time they go to a new site.

The Use of Color

As with other design choices guided by "form follows function," color should enhance the content. The designer's task is to identify colors that work well together, project the right image, and avoid confusion. But if too many colors are used, if the wrong colors are used, or if the colors decrease legibility, then web site's usability will be compromised.

 
 


7.7 Effective Animation

When users visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation web site, they find an introductory animation that reinforces the message of the site- if people don't act now, it will soon be too late.



7.9 Ineffective Background

The legibility of the information is decreased because of the background texture and the bold font face.