When you have a sign, you want it to be read by everyone. Remember that not everyone can see all colors. That can cause them to miss out on the colors of some signs, especially notification signs and safety signs. With that in mind, you want to ensure your signs are visible to everyone. Here are a few things you need to know about sign designs for color-blind viewers.
What Is Color Blindness?
You may think that those with color blindness just see in black or white, but that is not necessarily the case. Yes, there are some people who can only see those colors, and that condition is called monochromacy. However, color blindness often refers to the reduced ability to distinguish between shades of specific colors, such as greens and reds. In many cases, these colors will blend into each other.
There are other types of color blindness. People with protanopia cannot see yellow, orange, or red. These colors may appear gray or black. Many people with protanopia will have trouble distinguishing between blues, lavenders, purples, and violets. On the other hand, those with deuteranopia cannot see the difference between green, red, and yellow. All of these colors will look the same to the viewer.
When creating signs, you want to make sure they are legible and easy to use for everyone. You want to remember that the problem for most people is not distinguishing shades from each other but the difference between the brightness levels. Keep in mind that some signs will need to be in specific colors according to local guidelines and ordinances.
Now that you know the basics of color blindness, here are a few friendly design tips for your signs.
Think About the Type of Color
If you have signs with too much color, it can be hard to decipher for those color-blind viewers. You should avoid color combinations with greens, blues, reds, browns, purples, yellows, and grays. In some situations, it may be better to use monochrome instead of those multiple colors. Minimalism is popular with designers; using that combination for your signs would not be out of style.
Consider using high-contrast colors. Color-blind people can still see the contrast in colors. They can also tell the difference in brightness, saturation, and hue. You can use that to your advantage by using brighter colors than relying on those dim ones. Lighter shades will often blur into each other for a color-blind viewer.
You might also want to use thicker lines in your signage design. Some people with mild cases of color blindness can see color if there is a “mass” of it. If the line is too thin, they will be unable to distinguish those separate colors.
Don’t rely on colors to convey a particular message, especially for safety signs. If you use red as a warning sign, you should add a symbolic element to convey your message to those color-blind viewers.
Use Textures
Along with tone, you need to think about textures. Adding texture to your signs can help a color-blind audience. How do you add texture to a flat sign? While you might think you have to use raised surfaces, there are other ways to accomplish this task. You can use lines and different shapes along with the colors. With that, the color-blind audience can help distinguish one color or section from another.
Avoid Identifying by Color Alone
You will want to avoid using signage that identifies something by color alone. While this common design trend can make things simple, it can spell trouble for those color-blind viewers. If you are using colors to indicate something, always use accompanying text. In those cases, if a color-blind person cannot distinguish the color, they will be able to read the words.
Design for the Entire Audience
When designing any type of signage, you need to keep everyone in mind. If you want to see the world through the eyes of a color-blind person, there are a few modern apps and websites that can do that. Even a few color-blind designers share their views of the world on the internet. With those sources, you can become familiar with color blindness.
When professional designers create signs for color-blind viewers, they keep track of the color combination and make notes of their hex values. You can plug those values into a program or website to see how they can render for your color-blind viewers.
Ask for Professional Help
If you are stuck and cannot think of ways to design a color blindness-friendly sign, always seek advice from a professional signage company. These companies have the right tools and expertise to create signs that can be accessible to everyone. They also understand the rules and regulations concerning these types of signs for your business. Remember designing a sign is more than making a pretty visual element and hanging it on your building. You need to use the right colors, textures, and other details to make those signs stand out from the competition. With expert advice, you can create signage that everyone will appreciate.
Tupp Signs Is Ready for the Job
When you want to design signs for your customers, reach out to Tupp Signs. We have been in the signage industry since 1928. Our team understands the needs of all businesses. You can count on us when you need knowledgeable and professional help for your signage. Schedule your consultation by calling us at 302-322-1600.