Warning: Dark Mode May Cause Increased Productivity and Design Wonder

Warning: Dark Mode May Cause Increased Productivity and Design Wonder

Lavlesh pandey
Bootcamp
Published in
3 min readJan 17, 2024

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Welcome to the age of the Dark Lord… I mean, Dark Mode! This design trend, reminiscent of the 80s but with a modern twist, is taking the UI world by storm. Websites and apps are increasingly adopting dark themes as their default, and for good reason.

Why Go Dark?

It’s not just about looking cool (although, let’s be honest, it does). Dark mode offers a range of benefits:

  • Reduced eye strain: Staring at bright screens for hours can be tiring. Dark mode eases the burden on your eyes, especially in low-light environments.
  • Less blue light: Blue light emitted from screens can disrupt sleep patterns. Dark mode minimizes blue light exposure, promoting better rest.
  • Battery saver: OLED screens, common in smartphones, use less power when displaying dark pixels. So, dark mode can extend your battery life.
  • Eco-friendly: By reducing energy consumption, dark mode can contribute to a greener planet.

Designing for the Darkness

But creating a good dark mode isn’t just flipping a switch. It’s about understanding a new design paradigm. Here are 10 key points to remember:

  1. Treat it as a separate entity: Dark mode isn’t just an inverted light mode. It has its own design elements and visual effects, like subtle gradients and blurs.
  2. Contrast is king: Colors that work in light mode might not cut it in dark mode. Adjust them to ensure proper contrast and accessibility.
  3. Lightness and saturation: Avoid overly saturated colors in dark mode. Instead, increase lightness or desaturate for better contrast.
  4. Color with purpose: Classify your colors based on their function (primary, secondary, etc.) and ensure they’re consistent across both light and dark modes.
  5. Readability matters: Pure black text or backgrounds can be hard to read. Opt for different shades while maintaining sufficient contrast.
  6. Backgrounds and shadows: Lighter backgrounds for cards or subtle borders can enhance contrast in dark mode without relying heavily on shadows.
  7. Muted tones: Vivid colors often get muted in dark mode. This creates a more balanced look and improves readability.
  8. Embrace minimalism: Focus on essential information, especially for text-heavy content. Let the dark background do the talking.
  9. Create depth: Use different shades to represent elevation and make elements stand out.
  10. Brand it up: Don’t be afraid to use your brand colors in dark mode. Just adjust the hues to fit the aesthetic.

Join the Dark Side

Ready to experiment with the dark side of UI design? Here are some tips:

  1. Test in real-time
  2. Get inspired
  3. Don’t be afraid to experiment

So, are you ready to embrace the dark side? Dive in and discover a world where aesthetics meet functionality, and every color choice transforms the user experience.

Remember, the dark side is calling… will you answer?

Bonus tip: Add some cool visuals to your content! Images and screenshots can help illustrate your points and make your writing more engaging.

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Lavlesh pandey
Bootcamp

I love sharing my knowledge and experience with others in the design community through my writing.