Colour Scheme

[nilshoerrmann]

The [history of Symphony websites]() gives a brief overview of former designs of the Symphony Network (in older days Symphony the system and Overture the wiki were two separate sites).

The latest iteration of the main website that is still in use was a big step regarding style and colour consistency. But it also took away a few amiable details like the factory icon. Today the following basic colour scheme is used on http://getsymphony.com and satelite sites like http://symphonyextensions.com:

For Symphony Factory, the idea was to use one of these colours as identifier for the network and so we chose the dark magenta in our first mockup which is part of the logo. But the longer we look at it – and this maybe a special problem here in Germany – the more we think it's too similar to the colours of Deutsche Telekom or T-Mobile respectively (which are trademarked):

Looking at the old Symphony sites, a logical step would be to opt for a blue/green style but we'd be interested to get some feedback what others think.

[allen]

I actually think the magenta colour is very strong and what sold me on it is how well it worked with the dark grey network bar.

Since I'm not familiar with German companies, I don't relate to the colour the same way German-folks would.

A good way to decide on the colour would be to compare it against other similar open source projects, specifically in the CMS space. In this regard, I think the magenta colour is quite unique and can be helpful as a brand differentiator.

Anyway, that's my two-cents worth.

[DavidOliver]

Until you mentioned Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile I hadn't made any such mental association.

I think the colour scheme in the mockup works well.

Expression Engine also uses teal and a similar pink, but I think that usage differs enough to avoid conflict/confusion.

[simoneeconomo]

Looking at the old Symphony sites, a logical step would be to opt for a blue/green style

Even with blue/green a brand could always be found that uses a similar colour scheme, so my personal opinion is: who cares!

But the longer we look at it – and this maybe a special problem here in Germany – the more we think it's too similar to the colours of Deutsche Telekom or T-Mobile respectively (which are trademarked)

The magenta colour also reminds me of another important product/company: Symphony CMS. I don't think we should change it at all, now that most of us are used to that palette.

[pavelradvan]

Hi, I think that magenta wil be very good option. I have it also associated with symphony for long time and if you look at the favicon of actual getsymphony.com it looks very nice. It appears that Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile is not in the exactly same color and I do not think that anybody can trademark color. Color is generally color for all or not ? They can maybe trademark their whole concept of design - and it is not same... I am inclined to opinion "who cares!" ;-)

[creativedutchmen]

I love the magenta, too. Also, T-Mobile seems to combine the magenta with white (at least in the Netherlands), so the link wasn't immediately there.

Also, their magenta screams. Yours is quiet yet energetic. I like it.

[johannahoerrmann]

When thinking about it further, I think my initial concern might have its roots in a mockup for the main Symphony site that Craig once shared with us – large numbers in magenta set on white reminded me a lot of the Telekom design.

But if we stick to the route of magenta paired with darker overlays for even richer tones, I can see it work.

[creativedutchmen]

+1

[johannahoerrmann]

Oh, and bringing in another accent color for the content area might help underline that unique look, too. I can totally imagine something fresher than (or plus) the teal color though.

[lewiswharf]

I like this mockup very much and the color scheme. I wouldn't add any additional colors.

I took a look at Deutsche Telekom but don't really draw a connection. I don't think it would matter anyways since Symphony is not communications company, nor is it competing against Deutsche Telekom.

[nickdunn]

Yeah I don't think it needs much more colour. Another hue might be useful for subtle accents (hover states?) when using more grey or pink would feel like too much. Each user's own avatar top right will add a splash of colour too.

[allen]

@nickdunn: Turn that avatar frown upside down! Also, I agree re: colour and hover states.

[nzagamba]

symphony stands for simplicity and cleanness. the most important thing to me, is to keep the simple design or reduce it even more, if possible. the magenta is nice, but in my opinion should not be used for too big surfaces. I'm not sure if it's only the screenshot, but the background seems to be a rough light grey structure. i would reduce that to a white or very light grey color without structure. but maybe that's only the swiss graphic designer in me. ;-) let me know what others think about the amount of color?

[jensscherbl]

the more we think it's too similar to the colours of Deutsche Telekom or T-Mobile respectively

The trademarked Telekom magenta is a much lighter shade, I really don't think that we could get problems with that.

[nilshoerrmann]

Thanks for all your comments. Closing this thread.