Introduction
While color choice can be subjective, certain color combinations and applications can create accessibility issues, visual fatigue, or even problems in communication. This guide will look into colors or color combinations that one should either exercise caution with or completely avoid when doing designs.
Accessibility Concerns
Low-Contrast Combinations
- Pure yellow (#FFFF00) on white backgrounds
- Light gray on white backgrounds
Pastel colors on white or light backgrounds
Neon colors as main text colors
Combinations of similar-value colors
Headaches – Bad Text Colors
Pure red (#FF0000) as body text color
Bright blues (#0000FF) for reading more than a paragraph
Highly saturated colors for more than a paragraph
Colors that vibrate visually against their backgrounds
Physical and Psychological Effect
Eye Strain Inducers
Fluorescent yellow-green combinations
Highly saturated complementary colors in equal proportions
RGB pure values (#FF0000, #00FF00, #0000FF)
Schemes that are too bright
Neon palettes that are too bright
Psychological Concerns
Using brown for food items when not applicable in the design
Mud or undefined colors in corporate/business contexts
Colors conflicting across different cultures
Too many attention-seeking colors, red and yellow
Depressing and anxious color combination
Technical Limitations
Printing Related Issues
Color out of CMYK gamut
Metallic or fluorescent colors when printing as CMYK
- Very light tints that won’t reproduce well
- Rich blacks that exceed ink limits
- Colors that shift significantly between devices
Digital Display Problems
- Non-web-safe colors in critical applications
- Colors that vary dramatically across devices
- Extremely bright colors that “bloom” on screens
- Colors that create moiré patterns
- Combinations that cause screen flicker
Specific Use Cases to Avoid
Branding and Logo Design
- Trendy colors that will quickly date
Colors too similar to major competitors
Combinations that don’t reduce well to monochrome
Colors which limit reproduction options
Culturally inappropriate color choices
User Interface Design
Pure black (#000000) for a background
Pure white (#FFFFFF) for large areas
Red and green used as the only differentiators
Colors which conflict with conventions for standard UI
Combinations that create afterimages
Cultural and Context Considerations
Cultural Sensitivity
Colors that have negative associations in various cultures
Colors to Avoid
- Combinations that are religious or politically charged
- Colors with strong cultural ownership
- Inappropriate color symbolism
- Color choices insensitive to context
Industry-Specific Concerns
- Colors conflicting with color standards for safety
- Industry-inappropriate color choices
- Colors in conflict with color-coding conventions
- Combinations causing confusion in wayfinding
- Colors interfering with brand recognition
Other Options
Better Choices of Color
- Softer alternatives to harsh primary colors
- Appropriate color contrast ratios
- Accessible color combinations
- Consider color blindness in design
- Use appropriate color harmonies
Best Practices
- Test the colors across different devices and contexts
- Consider target audience and culture
- Use color checking tools and accessibility guidelines
- Implementation of color theory principles
- Creation of flexible color systems
Conclusion
While no color is inherently “bad,” understanding which colors and combinations to avoid in specific contexts is crucial to effective design. Not to avoid the use of such colors at all, but rather using them wittily and appropriately when the time arises. A designer should always consider accessibility, cultural context, technical limitations, and user experience in making color choices.
Remember, there are always exceptions to every rule, and at times, breaking these may be warranted for particular artistic or communicative reasons. The idea is to make conscious decisions that will help in the effectiveness of the design, not detract from it.