While designing your layout keep in mind the colors you use. Colors have a major effect upon the consumer, with them you can excite, motivate, and inspire. The overall color of your layout will set the tone. Here are a few colors and the psychological affect they have on people in western culture.

BLACK
Black is the color of authority and power. It is popular in fashion because it makes people appear thinner. It is also stylish and timeless. Black outfits can also be overpowering, or make the wearer seem aloof or evil. Villains, such as Dracula, often wear black. Black is also considered to be formal and elegant.

WHITE
Brides wear white to symbolize innocence and purity. White reflects light and is considered a summer color. Doctors and nurses wear white to imply cleanliness.

RED
The most emotionally intense color, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love. Red cars are popular targets for thieves. In designing, red is used because it attracts attention. Red also represents passion, energy, strength, and fire.

BLUE
The color of the sky and the ocean, blue is one of the more popular colors. Peaceful, tranquil blue causes a calming effect, so it is often used in bedrooms. Blue can also be cold and depressing. Research shows that people are more productive in blue rooms. Weightlifters are able to handle heavier weights in blue gyms.

GREEN
Green symbolizes nature. It is the easiest color on the eye. It is a calming, refreshing color. People waiting to appear on TV sit in "green rooms" to relax. Hospitals often use green because it relaxes patients. It also symbolizes vigor, money, and inexperience.

YELLOW
Yellow is an attention getter. While it is considered an optimistic color, people lose their
tempers more often in yellow rooms, and babies will cry more. It is the most difficult color for the eye to take in, so it can be overpowering if overused. Yellow enhances concentration and used for legal pads. When you think of yellow, words like joy, happiness, and optimism should come to mind.

PURPLE
The color of royalty, purple symbolizes luxury, wealth, and sophistication. It is also feminine and romantic. However, because it is rare in nature, purple can appear artificial.

BROWN
Brown implies stablility. Brown is the color of earth and is abundant in nature. Light brown implies genuineness while dark brown is similar to wood or leather.

Many of the colors and the psychology of color relate to how we see it in nature.

If you need help with selecting colors go to my contact page and contact me. I hope this is helpful in your designing, if so please let me know.