Dark or light?

[RIPG]

Which do you prefer?
A website with a dark template/theme
or one with a light template/theme?

... =]

[locking]

light template is always more welcoming

[corneo]

It depend on many different factors. Most sites use colors to enhance emotion that would pertain to what they were pushing.

Churches most likely would use a light color to give a pleasant, clean feeling.

The game "quake" would most likely use black and red to give a death and gloomy feeling.

[earthbound soul]

Originally Posted by corneo

It depend on many different factors. Most sites use colors to enhance emotion that would pertain to what they were pushing.

Churches most likely would use a light color to give a pleasant, clean feeling.

The game "quake" would most likely use black and red to give a death and gloomy feeling.

i agree with with you, it will depends on what the site is all about.....

[C.Whyte]

LIGHT!!!! White sites convert better than dark. Booya.

[progenic]

I prefer site with darker themes... Because it suites my eyesight well..

[wicca]

I prefer dark temp.!!!it looks cool

[nickmusica]

You could do a design survey of your audience. Show them about 5 sites in the category you are working with and ask them what they prefer in terms of color, fonts, white space, etc.

As we know preference doesn't mean performance, but at least you are getting feedback from users.

[TheFriend]

light templete - looks nicer for me

[RIPG]

I also think that the colors should reflect on the sites purpose.. (feel)
i like dark themes though.. and all the websites and graphics i do are just dark.. but that's me.. so i just wanted to know what you guys thought.. and it helps..
Thanks. =]

[pontarae]

"Blond or dark sir
says enough,
whether of women,
wine, or snuff." Doctor Johnson

I much prefer light colored themes. Perhaps that would change if i became a gamer and needed to commune with the dark side of the Force :-)

[Bob Barr]

Since I find it very difficult to read light text on a dark background, I definitely prefer a lighter background with dark text.

It doesn't matter to me if the text is black, gray, or some other color, as long as there's enough contrast that I can read it.

[RIPG]

Originally Posted by pontarae

"Blond or dark sir
says enough,
whether of women,
wine, or snuff." Doctor Johnson

I much prefer light colored themes. Perhaps that would change if i became a gamer and needed to commune with the dark side of the Force :-)

actually im creating a gamers community..
and blog.. and other stuff..
so yeah.. its dark and green.. and my forums are dark and blue..
but it's not because im into gaming.. it's more just me.

[sinkers]

I prefer the look of dark but definitely convinced that you cannot achieve the same usability as with white.

Especially the case if you have a lot of text or functionality to fit in. I am sure there is some science to it and if anyone knows would love to know what it is for a project that I am on.

[firecat]

Hmmm..., don't laugh, but my favorite color is black. However,I think that it's a generally accepted fact that light text on a dark background is just harder on the eyes -- harder to read. I know it's been mentioned in web marketing seminars that I've attended. I personally find just a white background to be too stark though, so have compromised with a light blue.

It could be different in the gamers' world, but I'd think that they'd still want to be able to read any instructions easily.

[StarLab]

My first reaction when seeing white text on black background is to hit the "Back Button"

Totally messes with my vision. I see ghost lines for 5 minutes after trying to read something with that combination.

[lordspace]

just create two or three themes and let your users choose from them

[Rambina]

Light themes. I find it more pleasant