Color contrast for accessibility in logo design was established to help designers create a proportional color disparity that improves the experience of users, especially with visual challenges.
In this discussion, you’ll dive into the nook and cranny of the accessible color contrast concept and how it impacts the design, in this case, the logo designs.
Understanding the ground of color contrast is the key to stepping deeper into the topic of accessible color contrast. Color disparity or contrast refers to the level of brightness of the designs’ background and foreground colors.
Since there is a diverse spectrum of users that will eventually reach the designs, designers must consider their design accessibility for people with visual impairment, whether it’s color blind or low vision.
Here is where the concept of accessible color contrast is necessary, contributing greatly to how users differentiate graphical elements from one to another
Actually, color contrast accessibility is about using accessible colors. Ones with highly visible contrast, instead of just any, to create visible color contrast across designs for people or users with visual challenges.
Also Read: 10 Key Elements of Timeless Logo Design with Example
Surprising fact: the implementation of color contrast concept across digital designs is a legal necessity. In the US, various organizations designed the ruling, but one that widely abides by is the guidelines from WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) since they are very specific.
WCAG sets a level of color combination, which is divided into levels A, AA, and AAA which designers should use accordingly as guidelines for creating good color contrast. Keep in mind that your designs’ color combination should comply with the range of minimum requirements, which is level AA, and enhanced level AAA.
Furthermore, the ruling for contrast ratio from WCAG also specifies different font sizes. So, basically, your color combination should meet the following criteria.
The higher the contrast, the better accessibility for a broader user range. Black and white are the most common, visible, and practical examples of high-contrast colors.
Based on the overview, you can sum up that the accessible color contrast is highly functional in indicating and conveying the meanings or information from each graphic element.
It’s primarily beneficial for the elderly and people with visual impairment, but also sighted people. Or else, when reading through the designs under situational visual challenges, like glaring light.
In the case of logo design, it improves the visibility of graphic elements aside from the text. While in general terms, accessible color contrast usage also impacts and ensures inclusive access to text readability, making the reading experience and navigating the structure more seamless for everyone.
When such inclusive access to information is granted, it expands the interaction possibility. In short, done right, the use of accessible color contrast combinations in logo designs fosters better engagement with your audience, even though this creative project is incidental.
Also Read: Top 10 Famous Band Logos and What They Represent
According to the success criterion of WCAG, when you design logos, the text you put into them does not require a specific color contrast ratio. Yet, you still can leverage the principles below to create harmonized and accessible color combinations for diverse graphic imagery that involves the logo design.
When pairing colors, you can look for contemporary colors on the reverse side of the color wheel since they usually are in thick contrast to each other. Consider combining the dark and light colors, while hindering from choosing similar shades.
Don’t forget to favor the people with color blindness by avoiding combinations of red-green, pink-purple, or blue-yellow and their analogous.
Also Read: 45+ Unique AI Prompt for Logo Design to Enhance Brand Identity
You can’t rely solely on contrasting color to improve accessibility in logo design. You still need to carefully choose the fonts you will use. Preferably, minimalist and simple typefaces fit this need best.
When ready, put the text in a clear hierarchy. It’s essential as color contrast does not necessarily mean indicating hierarchy. Additionally, put a layer using contrasting colors against the illustration or image on the logo design to separate your logo text, and provide decent readability.
Concerning graphic elements other than text in the logo design, the color contrast ratio you should use is at least 3:1. In certain cases other than the logo, they also require labelling.
Testing, if your whole logo design has the right color contrast that is accessible to a wide spectrum of users’ visual abilities and conditions, is crucial. Use online color contrast checker tools to execute this step.
Also Read: Designing Brand Identity: Tips and Tricks for Successful Business
Above and beyond, color contrast for accessibility in logo design contributes to embracing inclusivity. It is because it serves both users with normal vision and visual challenges. While this facilitates the users, it helps brands reflect their care for the audience which will impact their brand’s reputation to a certain degree.