Dark mode design tips

Technology is almost constantly present in our lives. As we interact with various websites, tools, and applications both day and night, the artificial, bright light of our devices' screens accompanies us at every step. Staring at our gadgets can strain our eyes (especially while looking at blue light in dark surroundings). An increasing number of designers and platforms are taking notice of this and are offering their users the option of using Dark Mode.

The main advantage of dark themes is their increased readability in low-light environments. Dark mode reduces the luminance emitted while still maintaining proper color contrast. It improves visual ergonomics and appropriately adjusts to specific light conditions

Each of these features makes it more pleasant to use technological devices in the evening or late at night. More interestingly, if your device has an OLED or AMOLED screen display, dark theme can significantly increase its battery life.

Because of its many useful benefits, dark mode has become one of the biggest trends in design, and many world-class brands like Apple, Google, and Facebook have already implemented dark themes. In support of its growing popularity, we’ve put together a short guide on how to create dark theme designs properly.

‍The principles of Dark UI Design

Dark UI design, while seemingly straightforward, encompasses a myriad of principles and considerations essential for crafting visually engaging and functional interfaces. In recent years, the adoption of dark mode across various digital platforms has surged, driven by both aesthetic preferences and practical considerations. The shift towards dark theme UI is not merely a trend but a response to the evolving needs and expectations of users in an increasingly digital-centric world.

The significance of dark UI design extends beyond its visual appeal. It plays a crucial role in enhancing user experience, particularly in environments with low ambient lighting such as nighttime or dimly lit spaces. By reducing the brightness of the interface, dark UI design mitigates eye strain and fatigue, offering a more comfortable viewing experience for users over prolonged periods.

Moreover, dark UI design contributes to improved accessibility by catering to users with sensitivity to bright light or visual impairments. The careful selection of colors, contrast ratios, and text readability in dark mode interfaces ensures that content remains accessible to a diverse range of users, regardless of their visual abilities or environmental conditions.

Furthermore, dark UI design aligns with modern design trends, reflecting a minimalist and sleek aesthetic favored by many users and designers alike. It allows for creative expression and differentiation while maintaining usability and functionality across various digital platforms and devices.

Don’t go too dark

Often, the first thing that comes to mind when creating a dark version of a design is too simply change the background to basic black (#000000). Although this may seem like a sensical choice, don’t do it — using a pure black background is a common mistake, as the contrast ratio is way off. It causes readers to squint and can lead to headaches. A very dark grey is a better choice for a dark background.

Avoid pure white text

Light background or straight out white background allows you to use white fonts and elements, while dark surface colors limit your options significantly. While light text in dark mode design is the norm, exceptions exist. Embrace opacity adjustments, as they're invaluable tools. White text, often blurred on most screens, strains the eyes due to an optical illusion where light from the text spills into the background. Opt for a color scheme blending white and gray for fonts to mitigate this effect.

Desaturate colors

Consider making colors less saturated. This is to maximize accessibility — saturated colors don’t pass WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standard. Highly saturated colors may also cause eye strain and optical vibrations against dark backgrounds. Introduce accent colors sparingly to highlight important elements without overwhelming the UI. Utilize colors that pop against the dark background while maintaining harmony with the overall design scheme.

Limited Color Palette

Utilize a limited color palette to maintain coherence and avoid overwhelming the user with too many colors. Choose colors that complement each other and contribute to the overall aesthetic of the interface.

You might feel tempted to use a fully saturated brand color, but it's better to find a more muted counterpart to fit the contrast requirements. A primary brand color, adjusted properly, could still make fully branded dark surfaces.

One of many factors you can play with to achieve an elevated surface is high and low opacity.

Accessibility

Adhere to WCAG standards to prioritize accessibility in dark mode design. Ensure sufficient color contrast, proper text resizing options, and keyboard navigation support for users with disabilities. The dark theme-specific guidelines make the solution more accessible. The most important rule is that the contrast level between the text and background should be at least 15.8:1. This increases readability, even if device surfaces are lighter. 

Text Rendering

Optimize text rendering for improved readability in dark mode. Utilize anti-aliasing techniques and adjust font weights to enhance legibility without compromising aesthetics.

Communicate depth

As we know, shadows don’t work well in the dark. A better way to communicate hierarchy in a user interface is to play with brightness—as a surface rises in elevation, it becomes lighter in color.

Icons and images

Icons and images are crucial elements of design. Ensure that full-color pictures are optimized for both bright and dark background. When dealing with icons, create separate versions for light and dark modes to ensure optimal visibility, using the same color principles mentioned above.

Less is more

A fundamental element of a successful dark UI is using adroit negative spaces. Dark user experiences may appear too heavy to use. To counterbalance this, designers may create lighter, dark UIs by exploiting negative space within spare, minimalist designs.

Negative space is a useful tool for dark UI design that allows the user to access information.

Claude Debussy wrote in his autobiography of 1788: "Music was a place between notes".

Test UI components before you go

See how your UI looks in both appearances and ensure that the light and dark themes are well constructed.

For best results, you should also test dark mode at night and in low-light conditions. Ask users for feedback regarding dark theme implementation to identify areas for improvement and refinement. Actively engage with user communities to address concerns and iterate on the design based on real-world usage.

Once you’ve tested the functionality, you’re all set to allow users to switch from light to dark mode whenever they want!