In 2019, we saw a huge increase in the number of services and sites that offer their users the option to use the platform in dark mode. These included not only Facebook and Instagram, but also Reddit, Google, and indeed mobile phone operating systems, which is probably where this trend started. Users often use their phones at night, in bed, while falling asleep, which is why a dark mode turns out to be a pretty key element in extending the use of the device, as it is easier on the eyes.
For designers, dark mode is not just a switch and the automatic inversion of colors. White, for example, should not be turned into solid black, as it results in too contrasting colors, which are not only not gentler on the eyes, but also studies show that they are far more stressful.
Adaptive color palette
When creating your website, application or platform, you should choose a color palette that is distinctive for your product. Often this happens through the logo, although sometimes the path is the other way around – from the palette to the logo. No matter what approach you choose, if you want to offer a dark mode on your site, it’s a good idea to also choose an adaptive color palette. Using gray as the darkest color in your design will give you much more flexibility than choosing black. In other words, the lower the saturation of a color, the easier it will be to use it in dark mode.
Brand
The choice of color palette should be consistent with your brand. Try to maintain the same feelings conveyed through the visual tone and style of your brand, no matter which mode the user is in. A good first step in this direction would be to use colors that are available in both modes.
Hierarchy
In dark mode, you could present one element as more important than the others by making it brighter and, therefore, visible against the dark background.
