Bow and target
Bow and target
Bow and target

7 Practical Tips to Master UI Color

Jan 21, 2025

·

3 min read

Colors in UI design are the secret ingredient that can make or break the visual appeal and clarity of an interface. This guide will help you master UI color and take your designs to the next level.

Use colors purposefully

Assign color meanings and stick to them. Have one element that clearly draws attention to itself, ensuring clarity and focus.

Example for using colors purposefully

Protect users’ eyes from screen luminance

Pure black on a white background creates excessive luminance and causes eye strain. Be mindful of bright colors as well—moderation is key.

Example showing how screen luminance affects the eye

Pay attention to color psychology

Respect cultural and semantic meanings of colors. Going against these conventions can confuse users and reduce design impact.

Example showing how going against color psychology can confuse users and reduce design impact

Don’t use color alone to communicate a message

Users with visual impairments may struggle to interpret designs that rely solely on color. Always include additional indicators, such as icons or text, to ensure accessibility.

Example showing how it's important to always include indicators

Avoid too many colors and poor color schemes

Using too many colors or inconsistent schemes leads to a messy and overwhelming look. Simplify and focus on harmony for a professional finish.

On the left is an example of a messy and inconsistent UI and on the right is an example of a clean UI

Add enough contrast

Avoid creating excessive luminance while ensuring sufficient contrast. Use tools like the A11y Figma plugin to check contrast ratios. For normal-sized fonts (smaller than 19 px), aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 to meet AA compliance.

Example of good and bad contrast ratio

Avoid bad gradients

Gradients can quickly become unappealing if overdone. Opt for natural gradients to maintain a polished and clean aesthetic.

Bad gradients on the left and pretty gradients on the right

Master UI colors in the most efficient way

Do you know how to apply colors intentionally, deliberately, strategically, and consistently? How and why do color properties relate to each other? Do you know how to use that to your advantage? If not, you should check out The Ultimate UI Colors Masterclass. It takes an all-encompassing approach and provides extensive theoretical knowledge. This masterclass is full of practical demo videos, assignments, and premium bonus resources. It’s everything you need to master UI color and create impactful designs. Let The Ultimate UI Colors Masterclass exceed your expectations for online design education.

Conclusion

To master UI color, you need to combine intentional design choices with a deep understanding of color theory, accessibility, and user needs. By applying these practical tips, you’ll create designs that captivate users and deliver exceptional experiences. Start refining your color mastery today.

Use colors purposefully

Assign color meanings and stick to them. Have one element that clearly draws attention to itself, ensuring clarity and focus.

Example for using colors purposefully

Protect users’ eyes from screen luminance

Pure black on a white background creates excessive luminance and causes eye strain. Be mindful of bright colors as well—moderation is key.

Example showing how screen luminance affects the eye

Pay attention to color psychology

Respect cultural and semantic meanings of colors. Going against these conventions can confuse users and reduce design impact.

Example showing how going against color psychology can confuse users and reduce design impact

Don’t use color alone to communicate a message

Users with visual impairments may struggle to interpret designs that rely solely on color. Always include additional indicators, such as icons or text, to ensure accessibility.

Example showing how it's important to always include indicators

Avoid too many colors and poor color schemes

Using too many colors or inconsistent schemes leads to a messy and overwhelming look. Simplify and focus on harmony for a professional finish.

On the left is an example of a messy and inconsistent UI and on the right is an example of a clean UI

Add enough contrast

Avoid creating excessive luminance while ensuring sufficient contrast. Use tools like the A11y Figma plugin to check contrast ratios. For normal-sized fonts (smaller than 19 px), aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 to meet AA compliance.

Example of good and bad contrast ratio

Avoid bad gradients

Gradients can quickly become unappealing if overdone. Opt for natural gradients to maintain a polished and clean aesthetic.

Bad gradients on the left and pretty gradients on the right

Master UI colors in the most efficient way

Do you know how to apply colors intentionally, deliberately, strategically, and consistently? How and why do color properties relate to each other? Do you know how to use that to your advantage? If not, you should check out The Ultimate UI Colors Masterclass. It takes an all-encompassing approach and provides extensive theoretical knowledge. This masterclass is full of practical demo videos, assignments, and premium bonus resources. It’s everything you need to master UI color and create impactful designs. Let The Ultimate UI Colors Masterclass exceed your expectations for online design education.

Conclusion

To master UI color, you need to combine intentional design choices with a deep understanding of color theory, accessibility, and user needs. By applying these practical tips, you’ll create designs that captivate users and deliver exceptional experiences. Start refining your color mastery today.

If you aren't following us on Instagram already, you're seriously missing out! Become a part of our ever-growing community and learn something new from the field of product design every. single. day.

Happy designing! 🥳

andrija & supercharge design team

If you aren't following us on Instagram already, you're seriously missing out! Become a part of our ever-growing community and learn something new from the field of product design every. single. day.

Happy designing! 🥳

andrija & supercharge design team

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Get valuable design tips, exclusive offers, and more—straight to your inbox. We don’t spam and you can unsubscribe at any time.