The guide
Color is the strongest visual cue in UI design. A well-balanced palette communicates authority, calmness, or energy in milliseconds.
1. The 60-30-10 Rule: Devote 60% of your canvas to a dominant neutral (such as deep navy or soft porcelain), 30% to a supporting brand color, and 10% to a vibrant accent (such as cyan or emerald) reserved strictly for buttons and calls to action.
2. Contrast is an Accessibility Target, Not an Afterthought: Ensure your text meets WCAG 2.1 AA standards (minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio against the background) so every visitor can comfortably read your content.
3. Restrict Saturated Tones: Too many saturated primary colors produce visual noise. Keep saturated shades for interactive states and use tinted neutrals for cards and panels.
Experiment with these rules using the Drishlink Color Palette Generator, which calculates WCAG contrast ratios in real time.