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Data Visualization: Design: Color

Best Practices

Colors should be...

Logical: follow cultural norms and intuitive norms.
Distinguishable: gradients and hues should be clear.
Accessible: be aware of common color blindness combos.
Necessary: all visual cues should reflect information in your data.

Resources

Color Brewer
Tool for selecting color schemes for maps.
Rules for Using Color in Visualizations
A general guideline for how to use color in visualizations.
Color Picker for Data
Coblis: Color-Blindness Simulator
Play around with the sample picture or upload your own image to test for problems that people with color blindness may have.
CU Denver Disability Resources and Services
MSU Denver Access Center - Student Disability Support Services
Community College of Denver Accessibility Center

Color Blindness

Colors by Culture

Colors Around the World

Source: LifeHack: Color Meanings from Around the World