How do you pick the best colors for readability?

1 Understand color theory

Color theory is the study of how colors interact and affect each other, as well as how they evoke emotions and meanings. To pick the best colors for readability, you need to understand the basics of color theory, such as the color wheel, the color models, the color schemes, and the color psychology. The color wheel is a circular diagram that shows the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. The color models are different ways of representing colors in digital or print media, such as RGB, CMYK, or HEX. The color schemes are combinations of colors that create harmony and balance, such as complementary, analogous, or triadic. The color psychology is the study of how colors influence human behavior and cognition, such as red for excitement, blue for calmness, or yellow for happiness.

2 Use contrast effectively

Contrast is the difference between light and dark colors, or between warm and cool colors. Contrast is essential for readability, as it makes the text stand out from the background and creates visual interest. To use contrast effectively, you need to consider the value, saturation, and hue of your colors. Value is the brightness or darkness of a color, saturation is the intensity or purity of a color, and hue is the name or shade of a color. A high contrast between value and saturation can create a strong and dynamic effect, while a low contrast can create a subtle and elegant effect. A high contrast between hue can create a vibrant and energetic effect, while a low contrast can create a harmonious and soothing effect. You can use tools such as Adobe Color or Coolors to generate and test different color combinations based on contrast.

3 Consider accessibility and inclusivity

Accessibility and inclusivity are important aspects of graphic design, as they ensure that your work can be seen and understood by a diverse and wide audience. To consider accessibility and inclusivity, you need to account for the different needs and preferences of people with visual impairments, color blindness, or dyslexia. For example, you can use tools such as WebAIM or Color Safe to check the contrast ratio between your text and background colors, and ensure that they meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards. You can also use tools such as Color Oracle or Coblis to simulate how your colors look to people with different types of color blindness, and avoid using colors that are hard to distinguish or cause confusion. You can also use fonts that are clear and legible, and avoid using too many colors or patterns that can distract or overwhelm the reader.

4 Adapt to the context and purpose

The context and purpose of your graphic design project can also influence the choice of colors for readability. You need to consider the medium, the audience, the message, and the tone of your work, and choose colors that are appropriate and consistent. For example, if you are designing a website, you need to consider how your colors will look on different devices, browsers, and screen sizes, and use responsive and adaptive design techniques. If you are designing a logo, you need to consider how your colors will represent your brand identity, values, and personality, and use colors that are memorable and distinctive. If you are designing a poster, you need to consider how your colors will attract attention, communicate information, and create emotion, and use colors that are relevant and expressive.

5 Experiment and test your colors

Finally, the best way to pick the best colors for readability is to experiment and test your colors with different tools, methods, and feedback. You can use tools such as Paletton, Colormind, or Color Hunt to explore and discover new and inspiring color palettes, and see how they work together. You can also use methods such as A/B testing, user testing, or eye tracking to measure and evaluate the effectiveness and usability of your colors, and see how they affect the behavior and satisfaction of your users. You can also ask for feedback from your peers, clients, or mentors, and get their opinions and suggestions on your color choices, and see how they align with your goals and expectations.

6 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?