That’s very true: it certainly does attempt to brighten up a pretty dreary situation. I think in some cases the colors — as long as they aren’t overwhelming — can have a nice effect on your visitors.

That does beg the question, then, why so many non-pediatric hospitals’ Web sites are somewhat bland. I’m not saying they need bright colors all over the place, but if they were bit more colorful and perhaps made a good use of shades of different, soothing colors, it would enhance the attitudes of their visitors. I don’t have a clue, but it would make for some interesting research for any academics out there.

I think that many children’s hospitals, or pediatric portions of hospital websites are designed to brighten up an otherwise cheerless topic – children who are sick and in many cases, fighting very tough diseases. It’s the same reason that these actual sections of hospitals are always the most colorful and fun that you’ll find, despite the very sad things they’re treating.