Gradient Backgrounds: Good or Bad?

[sheepo-designs]

Your thoughts?

[mtgentry]

Usually bad unless they are subtle.

[MstrBob]

Not necessarily so. They are often times a lot more interesting than a solid color. Especally if you have it fixed.

[ray326]

I like 'em myself.

[the tree]

The FireFox start page (http://www.google.co.uk/firefox) has a very cool gradient background.

[mtgentry]

My problem with gradients is that sometimes people will use them as a "go to" move because their design isnt working. But this is more of an issue in print work than on the web.

Yeah the firefox page does look good.

[fredmv]

If you can read the text without hassle, yes. Otherwise, no. So more or less, I agree with mtgentry. They can look very nice when done right.

[pyro]

I'll go with the general theme here, and say that yes, they are good, but only if done correctly (and not in all situations).

[Snitchcat]

It depends on the type of site you're designing, or even if you're going to be using a gradient background in print.

Personally, if the gradient background is subtle, fixed and comfortable to view, then I'd go for it. On the other hand, if the gradient background is badly done, then I won't even stop to view the page -- I'll just go elsewhere ASAP.

[gorky]

You could also just use multiple table and background colors of similar hue like you'll find here that don't interfere with the viewing of the site, but cause it also to not look plain and boring. Gradients are goo, so long as you don't try and jump to far on the colorscale.

-Gorky