Color System - ClickUp
For this project, I chose to update ClickUp's color system to match their branding. The current UI is mostly colorless, so this update adds bits of color to draw the user's eye to important elements.
This presentation covers primary, secondary, tertiary, and system colors that would be implemented throughout the application. An example is provided at the end. Some slides also provide dark mode situations to showcase how the colors do not clash with the separate modes as well as maintaining accessibility standards.
Reviews
1 review
Your ClickUp colour system update is well-executed, with a strong foundation in branding, accessibility, and usability. The structured approach ensures clarity, and the refined colour adjustments show a thoughtful design process. Your choices align well with cognitive and visual design principles, making the UI more engaging while maintaining functionality.
What Works Well
✅ Clear Visual Hierarchy – The structured approach makes it easy to understand. (Gestalt: Proximity & Similarity)
✅ Strong Brand Alignment – Colors match ClickUp’s identity, reinforcing recognition. (Aaker’s Brand Consistency)
✅ Accessibility Considerations – Adjusted magenta for readability, ensuring contrast compliance. (WCAG 2.1)
✅ Cognitive Load Reduction – The color-coded system helps users quickly process information. (Hick’s Law)
Opportunities for Improvement
1) Primary Color Justification – The use of multiple bright colours in the primary palette is unique but could be explained further.
→ It might help to clarify why pink, yellow, and purple are part of the primary system rather than the secondary. Including reasoning based on user research or A/B testing would strengthen this choice. (Ware, 2012: Cognitive Load)
2) Enhancing Secondary Color Integration – The violet secondary colour is well-chosen but could be showcased more in UI elements.
→ Demonstrating how this colour appears in buttons, tabs, or hover states would highlight its role more effectively. (Fitts' Law: Interaction Speed)
3) Dark Mode Contrast Validation – The colour choices are considered, but a few real-world UI previews could reinforce their effectiveness.
→ Including examples of dark mode alerts, pop-ups, or navigation highlights would ensure optimal readability. (Norman, 2013: Usability Testing)
4) Tertiary Color Implementation – The toned-down magenta is a great adjustment, but its functional role in UI could be expanded.
→ Providing examples of how it enhances notifications, alerts, or status indicators would make its use more apparent. (Nielsen, 2020: Navigation Speed)
Overall, this is a solid submission with a well-thought-out approach. The attention to detail is evident, and refining these areas will make the design even more polished. Keep pushing forward—small improvements like these can take a great design to the next level. Your approach to colour selection and accessibility already shows a strong understanding of UI principles. Keep up the great work!
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