OT: Web designer website: White or Black background?

[paulk7737514]

I am redesigning my logo as well as my website and was thinking of going with a black (or near-black) background. It seems that black backgrounds are more suitable for design- or arts=related sites, even if they make reading a bit more difficult and can feel a bit oppressive. I have also noticed that all photography looks better with a dark background and this is of course vital for showing off your portfolio.

[paulk7737514]

And dark background websites invariably appear more "interesting" than white background websites.

[Nancy OShea]

That's all very subjective.  Right now, my eyes prefer light text on dark background because it's easier to read. Others will have a very different opinion.   If you look on Adobe Portfolio or Behance, you'll see some portfolios on light ground and others on dark.  It varies.

[osgood_]

paulk7737514  wrote

And dark background websites invariably appear more "interesting" than white background websites.

Quality of images make a website, regardless of if you have a black or white background, personally I prefer white or light grey as it feels more classy than black, which can feel overpowering or oppressive.

[paulk7737514]

I had a situation where I did a clean site for a used car dealership and the dealer also decided to advertise on a large used cars website. Although the (non-professional) vehicle photography was identical on both sites, it looked far better on the black background site than it did on mine!

[osgood_]

paulk7737514  wrote

I had a situation where I did a clean site for a used car dealership and the dealer also decided to advertise on a large used cars website. Although the (non-professional) vehicle photography was identical on both sites, it looked far better on the black background site than it did on mine!

Design and color schemes will always be subject to personal opnions...

[Jon Fritz]

It depends on content and your target merket.

I rarely enjoy, or spend much time, reading light text on a black background, but color photography looks nice on black to me.

Either way, white or black, both can be used well or poorly, depending on the remainder of the design.

Keep in mind though, if you depend on your site to bring your customers to you, it's no longer about "what you like" in a design. Many, many designers fall into that trap...

"I'm a designer, so I know what looks good and how things should be. I like black and red and dynamic, sharp swooshes..."

"Well, I'm your target demographic and your website looks like you're trying to recruit me for a satanic ritual, no thanks."

[EbaySeller]

Do you care to provide a link to your website or are you too embarrassed to post it? At the current moment your website background is invisible to the eyes of the forum users whose opinion you're asking for.

[Nancy OShea]

Maybe it's not done yet and he's just bouncing around some ideas.   Haven't you ever done that?