How do you keep up with the latest trends and innovations in color design for infographics and reports?

1 Know the basics

Before you dive into the latest color trends, you need to understand the basics of color theory and design. Color theory is the study of how colors interact and affect each other, and how they influence human perception and behavior. Design principles, such as contrast, harmony, balance, and hierarchy, help you apply color theory to create effective and attractive visual compositions. You can learn more about color theory and design from books, online courses, blogs, and podcasts.

2 Follow the experts

One of the best ways to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in color design is to follow the experts in the field. These are the people who research, teach, write, and create data visualization projects using color. They often share their insights, tips, and examples on their websites, social media, newsletters, and podcasts. Some of the experts you can follow are Alberto Cairo, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, Andy Kirk, Ann K. Emery, and Lisa Charlotte Rost.

3 Explore the tools

Another way to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in color design is to explore the tools that are available for data visualization. These are the software, apps, websites, and plugins that help you create, edit, and apply color schemes to your infographics and reports. They can also help you generate, test, and compare different color combinations, and ensure that they are accessible and readable for your audience. Some of the tools you can explore are Adobe Color, Coolors, ColorBrewer, Paletton, and Color Oracle.

4 Join the community

A third way to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in color design is to join the community of data visualization practitioners and enthusiasts. These are the people who share, discuss, critique, and learn from each other's data visualization projects using color. They often interact on online platforms, such as blogs, forums, groups, and social media. They also organize and participate in events, such as webinars, workshops, conferences, and hackathons. Some of the community platforms and events you can join are Data Visualization Society, Visualizing Data, Storytelling with Data, Tapestry Conference, and Makeover Monday.

5 Experiment and learn

A fourth way to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in color design is to experiment and learn from your own data visualization projects using color. You can try different color schemes, techniques, and effects to see how they work for your data, message, and audience. You can also seek feedback from your peers, clients, or users to improve your color choices and skills. You can also review and analyze other data visualization projects using color, and learn from their strengths and weaknesses.

6 Stay curious and open

A fifth way to keep up with the latest trends and innovations in color design is to stay curious and open to new ideas and perspectives. Color is a dynamic and evolving field, and there is always something new to discover and learn. You can keep an eye on the latest developments and innovations in color science, technology, art, and culture, and see how they can inspire and inform your data visualization projects using color. You can also challenge yourself to explore different color styles, cultures, and contexts, and see how they can enrich and diversify your color palette.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?