How to Choose Colorblind-Friendly Palettes for Infographics
Colorblind-friendly palettes make your infographics accessible to everyone, including the 300 million people globally with color vision deficiencies. Here's how to do it:
- Avoid Problematic Colors: Skip red/green, blue/purple, and green/brown pairings.
- Use High-Contrast Colors: Opt for combinations like blue/orange or blue/red. Examples include Paul Tol's palette (e.g., Blue
#4477AA, Cyan#66CCEE). - Add Patterns and Labels: Don’t rely solely on color - use text, symbols, or patterns to differentiate elements.
- Test Your Design: Tools like Color Oracle or Coblis simulate how your visuals appear to colorblind users.
Accessible infographics improve communication and inclusivity while expanding your audience reach. Test, refine, and ensure clarity for all.
Colour Choices and Colour-Blind Accessibility in Data Visualization
Guidelines for Choosing Colorblind-Friendly Palettes
Choosing colorblind-friendly palettes makes your infographics more accessible and effective for everyone. Since red-green colorblindness is the most common type, it's especially important to avoid using these colors together in your designs.
Use High-Contrast Colors
Strong contrast between text, visuals, and backgrounds is key. Following accessibility standards, Paul Tol's palette offers reliable high-contrast color combinations [2]:
| Color | Hex Code | Suggested Use |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | #4477AA | Primary elements |
| Indigo | #332288 | Secondary elements |
| Cyan | #66CCEE | Highlights |
| Teal | #009988 | Accents |
Steer Clear of Difficult Color Pairs
Studies show that nearly half of scientific figures are hard to interpret for individuals with red-green colorblindness [3]. Avoid using these combinations:
- Red and green
- Blue and purple
- Green and brown
- Green and blue
Instead, try accessible pairings like blue with orange, red, or brown.
Use Patterns and Labels Alongside Colors
Don't rely solely on color to convey information. Add patterns, text labels, symbols, or varied typography to clearly differentiate elements. These techniques ensure your message is clear, even for those who can't distinguish certain colors.
After finalizing your palette, tools like Color Oracle can help you test how your design appears to people with different types of color vision deficiencies. This step ensures your visuals are accessible to everyone.
Tools to Create and Test Accessible Color Palettes
After choosing a colorblind-friendly palette, it's important to fine-tune and verify your selections using helpful tools.
Tools for Generating Color Palettes
Creating accessible palettes is easier with the right tools. ColorBrewer offers palettes specifically designed for data visualization. Adobe Color provides simulations and suggestions in real time. And Coolors is great for quickly generating palettes with built-in accessibility checks.
| Tool Name | Features | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| ColorBrewer | Pre-verified palettes, proven results | Data visualization |
| Adobe Color | Real-time simulations, alternatives | General design work |
| Coolors | Instant checks, random generation | Quick palette setup |
How to Test Your Palette for Accessibility
Testing ensures your palette works for everyone. Tools like Color Oracle simulate color blindness across your entire screen, allowing you to see how designs appear in their actual environment. Coblis (Color Blindness Simulator) provides side-by-side views, showing how your design looks to people with different types of color blindness.
When testing, focus on these key factors:
- Contrast ratios: Aim for at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 7:1 for larger text.
- Pattern clarity: Check that any patterns used for emphasis remain easy to distinguish.
- Readability: Test your designs across multiple tools to ensure they work well for diverse audiences.
Using these tools and methods, you can create visuals that are clear, accessible, and engaging for everyone.
sbb-itb-3623b4a
How to Use Colorblind-Friendly Palettes in Infographics
Once you've chosen and tested your colorblind-friendly palette, the next step is putting it to good use in your infographic design.
Tips for Designing Accessible Infographics
Creating infographics that work for everyone, including those with color vision deficiencies, is crucial. Start by picking 3-5 main colors from your accessible palette [1]. Keeping the palette small ensures your design stays clean and easy to understand.
| Element Type | How to Apply It | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Data Elements | Use high-contrast, accessible colors | Makes data easier to interpret for all |
| Backgrounds | Stick to neutral tones | Keeps attention on the main content |
| Labels/Text | Add patterns or symbols alongside colors | Helps colorblind users differentiate items |
To balance brand identity with accessibility, tweak your brand colors to meet contrast guidelines. Adding patterns or symbols to your visuals can make data points clearer without relying only on color.
Simplify Design with AI Tools
AI tools like Text to Infographic can streamline the process of creating accessible infographics. These platforms offer customizable, colorblind-friendly palettes and even built-in tools to test accessibility. They help you create designs that are both visually appealing and inclusive.
Here’s how to ensure your infographic design is effective:
- Test your color combinations with simulation tools before finalizing.
- Add patterns or symbols to support color distinctions.
- Keep spacing between elements consistent for a clean look.
- Use clear, readable typography with strong contrast.
"Creating clear and informative image-based figures for scientific publications" is a key goal in accessible design [3].
Conclusion: Making Infographics Accessible for Everyone
Key Points for Accessible Infographic Design
Around 8% of men globally have some form of color vision impairment [3], making accessible design a must. To create infographics that work for everyone, focus on using high-contrast colors, adding visual cues like patterns and labels, and testing your designs with tools like Color Oracle to ensure clarity. These steps not only improve accessibility but also make your designs more engaging for a broader audience.
Why Accessibility Matters for Engagement
Accessible infographics aren't just for those with color vision deficiencies - they improve the experience for everyone. By following accessibility practices, you make your content easier to understand and expand your reach to an additional 300 million people worldwide who experience color vision challenges. Plus, adhering to these practices helps boost your professional reputation by aligning your work with established scientific and educational guidelines.
Tools such as Venngage's Accessible Design Tool simplify the process of creating inclusive infographics [1]. The real challenge is staying consistent - test your designs regularly, refine your color choices, and ensure your content remains clear and engaging.
"Colour me better: fixing figures for colour blindness." - Alla Katsnelson, Nature, 2021 [3]
Accessible design is an ongoing effort. Keep testing and refining your infographics to maintain high standards and ensure your content is as inclusive as it is informative.
FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about creating accessible color palettes:
What color palettes work well for people with color blindness?
Palettes featuring blue-based combinations like blue/orange, blue/red, and blue/brown are effective. These pairings offer strong contrast and are easier to distinguish for most types of color blindness. Using different shades can also help create a clear visual hierarchy.
Which colors are most accessible for color blindness?
Blue is a dependable choice for accessibility, especially when combined with contrasting colors like orange or red. These pairings improve clarity for users with various types of color vision deficiencies. For designs like infographics, use these high-contrast combinations to ensure readability.
How can you make designs more accessible for colorblind users?
High-contrast color pairings are key. Consider options like:
- Blue/orange for sharp contrast
- Blue/red for clear separation
- Blue/brown for strong differentiation
Additionally, include patterns or labels alongside colors to make elements easier to distinguish. This ensures accessibility beyond just color contrast.