Colors are part of our daily lives and we all know they play an important role in our perception. According to color psychology, they can even influence our moods and how we learn. In business, and more so in the online business world, colors, shades, tints and hues play an essential role in brand awareness.
Moreover, in e-learning, course designers can identify as professionals on the market simply through their choice of colors. Since visual processing is linked to the learning process, color is crucial when designing online courses. The right colors can enhance engagement, boost focus and increase attention, the key factors for course completion and high participation rates. Conversely, the wrong colors can divert attention and overwhelm learners with an opposite effect to the desired one.
That’s why we need to understand how colors are perceived and what emotions or concepts are associated with them from the get-go.
Colors can generate reactions and provoke emotions, which are required learning preconditions. We want our knowledge and content to trigger positive reactions and emotions that keep learners connected to our course way beyond its end.
We want to create a lasting impact and help learners retain information easier and for longer periods of time. Color is the tie that links content and emotions to benefit deep learning and retention.
Here are a few tips to consider when choosing the colors for your online course design:
Read more: 6 Tips on using visual elements in online course design
To ensure learning and boost learner motivation, we need to consider the obstacles that stand in the way of focus and retention.
During a course, issues such as boredom, confusion, low engagement, and fatigue can occur. Color can diminish the consequences of these unwanted aspects and contribute to creating a better learning experience.
However, there’s one aspect to consider first: the interpretations are not universally valid. Colors have different meanings depending on variables like personal preferences, experiences, cultural and social background, but here are the most common interpretations that any course creator should know:
You can always count on the non-colors: black, grey and white, too. They are timeless and elegant. When used in contrast, they provide clarity and space.
Read more: Make your e-learning content pop with these 5 visual perception tricks
Colors have always been used to convey meaning and support information. For course creators, picking the right color scheme should be a priority. Putting time and thought into this choice sends a positive message to your learners. It shows you care how they feel while learning and that their goals are yours as well.
Considering the effects of colors on learning will help you create a seamless experience for your learners to thrive and reach the desired outcomes.