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and I Dig Data.

Cooking up Data and web tools since 2022

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Cameron Seamons - Data Analyst Tips

06/24/2023 * 3 Minute Read

Color really can be the difference between a Great dashboard and an awful looking report that loses its message.👉 Think about it - you spend hours collecting and analyzing data, creating charts and graphs, and writing insightful findings, but if your report is presented in an unappealing and confusing way, all that hard work goes to waste.

START WITH YOUR BRAND COLOR PALETTEIf your company has a color palette, that should be your main colors for every report. A lof of organizations have a style guide you need to reference for examples and exact color codes.

Brand Colors

BAD COLOR HABITSToo many colors can hide your message and confuse the viewer. You should limit your color palette. You also want to focus on using colors that drive your message and highlight the important bits.

Bad Color Habits

BAD vs GOOD CONTRASTColors that don't have a high enough contrast can make your message hard to read, especially for those with any form of color blindness. Using colors that have a high enough contrast will help make your message clear to anyone that may be looking at your dashboard.

Bad Contrast

vs

Good Contrast

BLACK AND WHITEBlack and white are extremely harsh on the eyes, no matter what device the viewer may be using. They will always look slightly off and feel slightly out of place. By simply using off-hue white and black you can improve the readability and overall design of your dashboard.Most major brands do this already without you knowing. For example, Apple uses #F5F5F7 for off white and #212124 for off black.Try it in your next dashboard and see how much of a difference it can make.

PURE Black and White

vs

Off Black and Off White

BETTER COLOR SCHEMESMost BI tools (tableau, power bi, etc) come with their own default color schemes. These are often pretty boring and wont really help your work stand out.Some of the default themes also use way too many colors and end up confusing your message even more than if you just used a simple monochromatic color scheme.If you are unsure of what to use, follow your gut and use whatever looks nice when you step back and view your overall design.Also, if you need additional help selecting colors I have a Dashboard Color Checker tool that will show you what different color schemes look like on both light and dark backgrounds.

Monochromatic color scheme

THE GOLDEN RULE!Ok. So there are actually TWO golden rules.1. Keep it simple! Simple is always best. When you start getting complicated and adding way too many colors you will lose your overall message.2. If a color is not serving a purpose or part of your branding, then it shouldn't be there!


Remember,Keep your audience in mind. Who is viewing the Dashboard and what questions do they need answered? Try to theme your colors around this message.Until Next time.Never. Stop. Learning.

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