I am taking an art class this summer.  I don’t really have much talent, but it is fun, relaxing, and I am learning things which are valuable in other parts of my life.  For example Color.  We are exploring color values, and I have really seen the effect strong contrasting colors can have on the overall impact of a painting.  These same values also effect the visual impact of signs, brochures and websites.  Some color combinations are more vibrant, more interesting, and more readable.

For example:

Another thing to consider, while the darker backgrounds work well for dramatic covers and billboards, they are not great for websites, or anywhere you use lots of copy. Particularly people over 40 have a hard time reading reverse text, so they simply don’t. If your target customers are over 30, make it easy for them to read what you write with a light background.