Notes · Accessibility
Accessibility
10 issues tagged with this topic.
Issue 0282026-05-28
Dark mode color systems: why most implementations get it wrong
Dark mode is not just a color inversion. Building a proper dark mode palette requires rethinking the entire color hierarchy — with different luminance relationships, contrast ratios, and chromatic intensity requirements than light mode.
Dark ModeColor SystemsUI DesignAccessibility
Issue 0212026-04-09
Contrast ratios beyond black and white: creative approaches to WCAG compliance
WCAG contrast requirements do not mandate black text on white backgrounds. There is a wide range of color combinations that pass AA and AAA thresholds while delivering a distinctive visual identity. This issue explores how to find them systematically.
AccessibilityContrastWCAG
Issue 0172026-03-28
Color accessibility beyond WCAG minimums: what the numbers miss
Why passing WCAG contrast ratios does not guarantee a readable palette, what the numbers cannot measure, and how to audit a color system for real-world accessibility beyond the 4.5:1 threshold.
AccessibilityUIWorkflow
Issue 0112026-03-22
Choosing accessible accent colors that still feel intentional
Why accessible accents fail when they are chosen by compliance alone, how Orchid Bloom proves that expressive hues can pass contrast, and where the starter pack helps teams ship faster.
AccessibilityWCAGPalette
Issue 0032026-03-14
Contrast, clarity, and building for accessibility from the start
A note on WCAG contrast ratios, the /contrast tool, and why dark mode palette decisions matter more when accessibility is in scope.
WCAGAccessibilityTools
Issue 0262026-05-14
Why dark mode colors need more saturation than you think
The most common mistake in dark mode color systems is lifting light-mode colors onto dark backgrounds without adjustment. Colors that look rich and saturated on white appear washed out and gray on dark surfaces. The physics of simultaneous contrast explains why, and the fix is systematic rather than case-by-case.
Dark ModeAccessibilityUI
Issue 0352026-07-16
Designing palettes that work for colorblind users — without sacrificing character
Roughly 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency. Most palette guidelines respond by stripping color personality down to high-contrast gray-scale safe combinations. There is a better approach: designing with color role redundancy so that no piece of information relies on hue alone.
AccessibilityColor BlindnessPalette Design
Issue 0372026-08-13
Yellow in UI: the most misused accent color, and how to use it correctly
Yellow is the most perceptually powerful color in the spectrum — at equal saturation, it appears brighter than any other hue to the human eye. That intensity makes it the most effective accent color for drawing attention, and the most likely to fail WCAG contrast tests when used carelessly.
Color TheoryUI DesignAccessibility
Issue 0432026-10-01
Designing for color blindness: how to make palettes that work for everyone
About 8% of males have some form of color vision deficiency. For most design outputs — UI, data visualization, infographics — that is too large a portion of your audience to leave to chance. Accessible palettes are not a constraint on creativity. They are a higher-order design skill.
AccessibilityColor TheoryUI Design
Issue 0502026-12-10
Color contrast for accessibility: what WCAG actually requires and why it matters
WCAG contrast ratios are often treated as a compliance checkbox. Understanding what the numbers actually measure — and where they fall short — makes you a better designer, not just a more compliant one.
AccessibilityWCAGUI/UX
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