Color & Contrast

Bright, contrasting colors are the focus of many of my designs. To me, color adds visual interest and variety. By varying the colors used in a site's design, elements of the page may be emphasized, aiding in page organization and direction. The use of light and dark, big and small elements use contrast to create a visual hierarchy. Also, the use of space, and white space in particular, aids in moving a reader's eyes—and attention— from one section to another, aiding in readability.

Geometric Shapes & Basic Design

Geometric shapes and traditional, simplistic designs also aid in visual balance of a web site's design. Basic shapes help with layout organization, unifying a design from top to bottom. Also, traditional or recognizable design adds a solid visual element to the design. These basic shapes may be altered or layered to create dramatic artistic elements, a digital fine art.

Appealing Designs

An example of a traditional design with contrating colors is the New Mexico state flag. I am attracked to the bright color patterns, typical of the Southwest, and the design's geometric, simple features.

Many artists use a design aesthetic which I admire. In photography, Ansel Adams used black and white film to capture vibrant landscapes, simplifying them by eliminating color. In turn this simplification amplifies every detail within the scene.

Painters such as Georgia O'Keefe and Tamara de Lempicka use bright color and sweeping brush strokes to capture their striking subjects.