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That museum exhibit with bad lighting taught me about contrast ratios
I went to the local art museum downtown last Saturday and they had a whole gallery dedicated to minimalist posters. But the lighting was so dim and warm that all the light gray text on white backgrounds just disappeared. You couldn't read a single description card without pulling out your phone flashlight. It made me realize how often I pick colors that look fine on my monitor but fall apart in real-world conditions. Now I always check my designs under two different light sources before sending them to print. Has anyone else run into a physical space that exposed a blind spot in your color choices?
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olivia_barnes975d ago
Oh man, that sounds so frustrating. Totally been there with colors looking way different in person than on screen.
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cameron_craig5d ago
Bruh, "looks fine on my monitor but fall apart in real-world conditions" - that's literally my life as a designer. I spent a whole summer making these sick event posters for a local coffee shop, had them printed on nice cardstock and everything. Got to the shop and realized under their overhead fluorescents, my "rich navy blue" background just looked like a weird dark gray puddle. The yellow text I was so proud of? Completely invisible. Had to print an entire new batch at my own cost. Now I'm that weirdo who brings a portable LED lamp to the print shop and holds samples under it before I even pay.
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