How to ensure Accessible Color Contrast in digital platforms?

Ensuring accessible color contrast throughout the development of a digital platform involves several critical stages, each with specific considerations:

Brand Image Setup

Prioritize accessible colors from the start. Test contrast and create inclusive color variations for branding.

Accessible UI Kit

Define UI standards with tested contrast ratios for components and states.

Beyond Color Alone

Use icons, text, and patterns alongside color. Avoid relying solely on color to convey critical information.

Real-World Testing

Test designs with users who have vision deficiencies to ensure the final interface meets accessibility needs.

Here is how ensure Accessible Color Contrast

1. When Creating Brand Image

Start with Accessibility in Mind

From the outset, ensure that your brand colors align with accessibility standards. This includes selecting primary and secondary colors that are not only on-brand but also have sufficient contrast.
Test for Contrast Ratios

As you develop your brand palette, use tools to test the contrast ratio between your brand colors and typical background shades (e.g., white, black, or gray). Make sure they meet or exceed WCAG guidelines for both regular and large text.
Flexible Color Variations

Include accessible versions of brand colors (e.g., darker or lighter shades) that maintain brand consistency while offering flexibility for contrast across various use cases.
Design with Inclusivity

Consider how your brand colors will appear to users with color vision deficiencies. Opt for combinations that work well across different vision types, ensuring that your branding remains consistent and recognizable for everyone.

2. When Creating a UI Kit

Establish Accessible Color Standards

Define your UI kit with a clear set of color guidelines that include accessible combinations for backgrounds, text, icons, and interactive elements like buttons and links.
Contrast Testing for UI Components

For each component in your UI kit (e.g., buttons, input fields, alerts), verify that text, icons, and borders meet the required contrast ratios against their backgrounds. This ensures all elements remain readable and distinguishable.
Variants for Different States

Ensure that all states (hover, active, disabled) are designed with adequate contrast, not just in terms of color, but also in terms of clarity for different visual needs (e.g., distinct borders or icons).
Reusable and Scalable

Make sure that the accessible color choices are reusable across different screen sizes and responsive designs, ensuring consistency in contrast.

3. When Designing Interfaces: Not Using Colors as the Only Information Carrier

Complement Color with Other Visual Cues

Use patterns, shapes, icons, or text to convey information in addition to color. For example, don’t just rely on red for error messages; include clear, descriptive text and an error icon.
Labeling and Instructions

Always accompany color-coded information (e.g., charts, status indicators) with text labels or symbols that provide the same information in a non-color-dependent way.
Interactive Elements

Ensure buttons, links, and form fields are distinguishable not only by color but by other means like underlines, boldness, or icons. This is especially important for links, where only using color to indicate hyperlinks can lead to confusion.
Test in Real-World Scenarios

Before finalizing your design, conduct user testing with individuals who have color vision deficiencies or low vision. This real-world feedback ensures that your use of color meets accessibility needs.

By following these stages and integrating accessibility considerations into each step—from branding to final UI design—you ensure that your digital platform is inclusive and usable for all audiences.

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When ensuring accessible color contrasts, several factors must be taken into consideration to accommodate users with...

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How to ensure Accessible Color Contrast in digital platforms?

Brand Image Setup

Accessible UI Kit

Beyond Color Alone

Real-World Testing

Here is how ensure Accessible Color Contrast

1. When Creating Brand Image

Start with Accessibility in Mind

Test for Contrast Ratios

Flexible Color Variations

Design with Inclusivity

2. When Creating a UI Kit

Establish Accessible Color Standards

Contrast Testing for UI Components

Variants for Different States

Reusable and Scalable

3. When Designing Interfaces: Not Using Colors as the Only Information Carrier

Complement Color with Other Visual Cues

Labeling and Instructions

Interactive Elements

Test in Real-World Scenarios

Audio transcript

Related article

What to consider for accessible color contrast?

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How to ensure Accessible Color Contrast in digital platforms?

Brand Image Setup

Accessible UI Kit

Beyond Color Alone

Real-World Testing

Here is how ensure Accessible Color Contrast

1. When Creating Brand Image

Start with Accessibility in Mind

Test for Contrast Ratios

Flexible Color Variations

Design with Inclusivity

2. When Creating a UI Kit

Establish Accessible Color Standards

Contrast Testing for UI Components

Variants for Different States

Reusable and Scalable

3. When Designing Interfaces: Not Using Colors as the Only Information Carrier

Complement Color with Other Visual Cues

Labeling and Instructions

Interactive Elements

Test in Real-World Scenarios

Audio transcript

Related article

What to consider for accessible color contrast?​

Keep updated

Keep updated with new articles

Book an appointment

What to consider for accessible color contrast?