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Applying Color Theory
From RYB to Perceptual:
What Changes in Practice
Coming Soon
Monochromatic Color Schemes:
When and How to Apply
Coming Soon
Applying Perceptual Color Spaces
in Design with Color Schemer
Coming Soon
How to Mix Colors and
Create Even Gradients
Coming Soon
Creating a Cohesive Color System
for Your Brand and Design
Coming Soon
Color Schemer has been launched
on your Mac App Store
Optimizing Text Readability with WCAG
A polished color palette can still leave people struggling. Good contrast helps you nail it.
Measuring contrast with WCAG simply comes down to comparing the color of your text or UI element against its background. There are special math formulats that measure how much light both colors emit, and provides a ratio for the level of contrast. It's essential for people with vision issues, but might actually provide great enhancement to all of your users.
Do Apple's green text bubbles have an accessibility problem?
The debate over "green" and "blue" chat bubbles may extend far beyond social status, typing indicators and read receipts. Is it possible that our hatred for green bubbles is derived from an accessibility problem? The green is much brighter than the blue, which runs into a contrast problem against the white text. Take a a look and decide for yourself.
Are we still on for tonight?
iMessage bluePasses for large text, but not body text.
3.46:1✓
Yep, see you at eight!
iMessage greenFar too bright behind white text.
2.23:1×
Yep, see you at eight!
Darker greenAn improvement, but still short of 4.5:1.
3.15:1✓
WCAG has different levels of what is considered acceptable for contrast. WCAG Level AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Level AAA raises those minimums to 7:1 and 4.5:1. Font weight matters too: bolder text gets more leniency. At least for those really struggling, the bold text settings on iPhone can help with the green bubbles.
Test contrast with Color Schemer
You can use the "Mix" section in Color Schemer to check two colors against each other or to mix them through various color spaces. When trying to find a good combination for text and a background, it can help you tune the darkness of each color easily to hit the target.
Use contrast to shape visual hierarchy
Contrast naturally tells the users eye what they need to notice first. Headings and primary actions usually need the strongest contrast. Secondary text can be softer, but at least that the bare minimum of the WCAG threshold.
Continue to Techniques for creating harmonious color combinations
Applying Color Theory
From RYB to Perceptual:
What Changes in Practice
Coming Soon
Monochromatic Color Schemes:
When and How to Apply
Coming Soon
Applying Perceptual Color Spaces
in Design with Color Schemer
Coming Soon
How to Mix Colors and
Create Even Gradients
Coming Soon
Creating a Cohesive Color System
for Your Brand and Design
Coming Soon