Vent: I keep seeing designers use pure black for dark mode backgrounds...

It crushes shadow detail and makes everything feel flat, a lesson I learned the hard way after a client project in 2021. What's your go-to dark gray base color instead?

4 comments

4 Comments

allen.reese2mo ago

My friend Jake's app got roasted in a 2022 review for looking "soulless and cheap." His designer had used pure black everywhere. He switched to a dark charcoal, something like #121212, and the next update's feedback praised the improved depth. It totally changed how users felt about the interface.

casey_campbell2mo ago

Remember that pure black can feel harsh and flat on screens. Using a dark gray instead adds subtle depth and makes other colors pop. It's a small change that makes a huge difference in how polished an app feels.

gavin9281mo ago

Hold up though, pure black can actually work really well if you're going for that high contrast, OLED-friendly look. Some of the most popular apps and websites use true black backgrounds and they look incredibly sleek and premium. I think sometimes people just overthink these design rules and blame the color instead of the actual layout or typography being bad.

avery3661mo ago

The "soulless and cheap" thing really stuck with me... that's exactly how those pure black interfaces feel, like all the life got sucked out of them. I've been using #1A1A1A lately and it makes such a difference, just that tiny bit of warmth.