What colours do I use ? – A guide to selecting colours for UX/UI projects

A lot of times, selecting colours for UX/UI projects can be daunting as there are a wide range of factors to consider. Designers are often faced with the challenge of picking a colour scheme because if not done thoughtfully, it can significantly impact the user experience. As an experienced UX/UI designer, I’ve navigated through this challenge numerous times and have come to appreciate the intricate role colours play in shaping user perceptions and interactions.

Let’s delve deeper into these essential colour functions and uncover the key considerations that can guide us towards crafting compelling and user-centric interfaces.

1. Primary Colours: The Foundation of Your Palette

At the core of any design lies the primary colours. These are the hues that will dominate your platform and define its visual identity. Whether it’s the background of your interface or the colour of your primary buttons, selecting the right primary colours is crucial for establishing a cohesive and harmonious design.

2. Accent Colours: Adding Depth and Visual Interest

While primary colours lay the foundation, accent colours inject personality and vibrancy into your design. These colours are used sparingly to draw attention to specific elements or to create visual hierarchy within your interface. Whether it’s a bold accent for call-to-action buttons or a subtle highlight for important information, accent colours play a crucial role in guiding users’ attention and enhancing usability.

3. Neutral Colours: Balancing Contrast and Readability

In addition to primary and accent colours, it’s essential to incorporate neutral colours into your palette. These hues serve as the backdrop for your design, providing contrast and readability for text and other content. From the background of your interface to the colour of your body text, neutral colours play a vital role in ensuring clarity and legibility across your platform.

4. Error and Feedback Colours: Communicating User Interactions

Beyond the standard palette, it’s essential to define colours for error messages, warnings, and feedback prompts. These colours serve as visual cues to communicate with users and guide them through their interactions with your platform. Whether it’s a red alert for validation errors or a yellow warning for incomplete form fields, error and feedback colours help users navigate and understand their actions within your interface.

Factors to consider when selecting colours for your UX/UI projects:

Now that we’ve explored the essential colour functions in UX/UI design, it’s time to delve into the factors that inform our decisions when selecting colours for specific elements within our projects. As designers, we understand that the colour palette we choose can have a profound impact on user. In this section, we’ll unravel the key considerations that guide us in determining which colours are best suited for each function within our interfaces. From psychology and brand identity to accessibility and cultural nuances, we’ll uncover the diverse factors that shape our colour choices and empower us to create engaging and user-friendly experiences.

1. Psychology of Colour: 

One of the primary considerations when selecting colours for a UI/UX project is the psychology of colour. This speaks to how different colours evoke different emotions and perceptions, which can significantly influence how users engage with a product. For instance, warm tones like red and orange may convey a sense of urgency or excitement, while cool tones like blue and green can evoke feelings of calmness and trust.

2. Brand Identity:

Colour choices should align with the brand’s identity and values to create a cohesive and recognisable visual identity. Whether it’s bold and vibrant hues for a youth-oriented brand or muted and sophisticated tones for a luxury brand, the colours should reflect the essence of the brand and resonate with its target audience. While brand colours undoubtedly play a crucial role in reinforcing brand identity, it’s essential for designers to exercise restraint and avoid overusing them within the interface.

3. Accessibility: 

Designers need to ensure sufficient colour contrast and readability, especially for users with visual impairments, as well as consider other accessibility considerations such as visual cues and interactive elements. This involves selecting colours with adequate contrast ratios to enhance readability and ensure inclusivity for all users. Additionally, adherence to current accessibility standards involves employing approved colour combinations exclusively. Exercise particular caution with reverse type and type overlays, particularly when catering to middle-aged or older audiences. These considerations not only enhance accessibility but also contribute to a more user-friendly and inclusive interface design. Other factors to consider include:

• Providing clear visual cues for navigation and interaction
• Ensuring that clickable elements are distinguishable and intuitive for users of all abilities
• Minimising visual clutter to reduce cognitive load and enhance usability.
• Maintaining consistency in colour use throughout the interface to facilitate navigation and comprehension for users
• Incorporating visual feedback mechanisms, such as changes in colour or highlighting, to provide feedback on user interactions and guide users through tasks or processes effectively.
• Adhering to established accessibility standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), to ensure compliance with colour contrast requirements and other accessibility criteriaAccessibility standards for colour & contrast can be found in this Understanding WCAG 2 Contrast and Color Requirements Article.

4. Cultural Considerations:

Different cultures have varying interpretations and associations with colours, so it’s essential to research and understand the cultural context of the target audience to avoid unintentional misinterpretations.

How many colours should I use in my project ?

When deciding how many colours to use in your project, it’s essential to strike a balance between simplicity and visual interest. After considering the various colour functions and factors that influence colour selection, users should assess the specific needs and goals of their project. Here are some pointers to help guide your decision:

1. Consider Complexity: Think about the complexity of your project and the level of visual interest you want to achieve. While using a limited colour palette can create a cohesive and harmonious design, too few colours may result in a lack of visual interest. On the other hand, using too many colours can lead to visual clutter and confusion for users.
2. Establish Hierarchy: Evaluate the hierarchy of elements within your interface and determine which ones require emphasis. Select colours that help establish a clear visual hierarchy and guide users’ attention to key elements. This may involve using different colours for primary, secondary, and tertiary elements to create a sense of depth and organisation.
3. Maintain Consistency: Ensure consistency in colour use across different screens and components within your project. This helps create a cohesive and unified user experience and reinforces brand identity. By maintaining consistency, users can navigate the interface more intuitively and feel more confident in their interactions.
4. Seek Feedback: Don’t hesitate to seek feedback from stakeholders or conduct user testing to validate your colour choices. This can help identify any potential issues or areas for improvement and ensure that your colour palette resonates with the target audience.
5. Experiment and Iterate: Remember that selecting the perfect colour palette is often a process of experimentation and iteration. Don’t be afraid to try out different combinations and see how they impact the overall look and feel of your project. By experimenting with different colours and soliciting feedback, you can refine your design and create a visually appealing and user-friendly interface.

In summary, when deciding how many colours to use in your project, consider the complexity of your design, establish a clear visual hierarchy, maintain consistency, seek feedback, and be willing to experiment and iterate. By carefully considering these factors, you can create a colour palette that enhances the user experience and effectively communicates your message.