Contextual colors are needed for specific use cases. They are essential because without them clear communication, precise differentiation, and the intended expression would not be possible.
Only use a color that differs from the secondary color palette if the hue value in the HSL color system varies by more than 20 points. Special colors required for compliance with ISO standards are an exception.
For illustrations, we generally use the secondary colors whenever possible. Exceptions are:
Skin tones
Specific product colors
Base and shading colors
Additional palettes
We treat colors in technical documentation similarly to UI colors. Whenever possible, we use secondary colors. If that’s not an option, we select a color with at least a 20-point (HSL) hue difference from our secondary color palette.
Infographics encompass a wide range of applications, from PowerPoint slides to apps that analyze medical data.
Before developing a new contextual color, first check whether an existing secondary color can be used instead.
Contextual colors do not have a predefined use. Instead, they are intended for cases where secondary colors alone are not sufficient, such as for illustrations, UI, ISO standards, and signals.
Select the preferred color that meets your needs.
Determine if a similar color already exists for the particular application. If so, use the existing color.
If no similar color exists, make sure that the newly defined color has a 20-point (HSL) hue difference from the secondary colors.
Check the contrast (WCAG) and categorize it on the scale.
Selected contextual color too close to a secondary color
Different shades next to each other
Gradients between colors
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