Colour Blind Colours To Avoid

Understanding Color Blindness and Choosing Colors Wisely

Color blindness, or color vision deficiency, is a condition that affects a significant portion of the population, with varying degrees of severity. It’s important to be mindful of this when creating visual content, especially for those with red-green color blindness, the most common type. In this blog post, we’ll explore which colors to avoid and provide alternatives to ensure your designs are inclusive and accessible to all.

Colors to Steer Clear Of

For those with red-green color blindness, certain color combinations can be difficult to distinguish. Here are some colors to avoid using together:

• Red and Green: This classic combination is often used to indicate opposites, such as "stop" and "go." However, for those with red-green color blindness, these colors can appear similar, leading to confusion.
• Dark Red and Dark Green: Dark shades of these colors can be even more problematic, as they may appear as a single, indistinct color.
• Brown and Orange: Brown is often a desaturated version of red, while orange has green as a primary color. This combination can be challenging for those with red-green color blindness.
• Purple and Green: Purple, being a mix of red and blue, can be difficult to differentiate from green for those with color vision deficiency.

Alternative Color Combinations

When creating visual content, it’s essential to consider alternative color combinations that are more accessible to those with color blindness. Here are some suggestions:

• Blue and Yellow: This combination is generally safe and easy to distinguish for those with red-green color blindness. Blue is often a "safe" color, as it's rarely an issue for color vision deficiency.
• Light Blue and Light Yellow: Using lighter shades of these colors can provide even more contrast and clarity.
• Pink and Light Green: While pink is a form of red, it's often less saturated and can be distinguished more easily by those with color vision deficiency. Light green provides a good contrast without being too similar to dark green.
• Orange and Purple: Despite the potential challenges with brown and orange, using a brighter, more saturated orange can help. Similarly, a vibrant purple can be distinguished more easily than a desaturated one.

Tools for Checking Color Accessibility

There are several online tools and color contrast checkers that can help you ensure your color choices are accessible. These tools simulate color blindness and provide a visual representation of how your design might appear to someone with color vision deficiency. Some popular options include:

• Color Blindly: This website offers a color blindness simulator and a color contrast checker.
• WebAIM Contrast Checker: A simple tool to check color contrast ratios and ensure accessibility.
• Color Filter: Allows you to upload an image and apply various types of color blindness filters to see how your design might appear to those with color vision deficiency.

Designing with Color Blindness in Mind

In addition to choosing the right colors, there are other design considerations to keep in mind when creating content for those with color blindness:

• Use Patterns and Textures: Adding patterns or textures to your design can provide additional visual cues and make it easier to distinguish elements.
• Consider Symbolism: Symbols and icons can be a powerful way to convey information, especially for those with color vision deficiency. For example, using a stop sign symbol instead of just the color red.
• Provide Clear Labels: Ensure that important elements, such as buttons or links, have clear labels that are not solely reliant on color for understanding.

Conclusion

By being mindful of color blindness and making thoughtful color choices, you can create visual content that is inclusive and accessible to all. Remember, it’s not just about avoiding certain color combinations but also about embracing alternative options and employing other design techniques to ensure a positive user experience for everyone.