Don’t Forget About Dark and Light Modes: Designing for Both Themes

Dark and light modes have become a standard expectation in modern digital products. Users appreciate the flexibility to switch between themes based on personal preference, environment, or accessibility needs. However, designing for both modes requires more than just inverting colors—it involves careful contrast, readability, and maintaining brand identity across themes.

In this article, we’ll explore why dark and light modes matter, key design principles, and best practices for implementing them effectively.

1. Why Support Both Dark and Light Modes?

1. User Preference & Comfort

• Some users prefer light mode for clarity and familiarity.

• Others choose dark mode for reduced eye strain and aesthetics.

2. Accessibility & Readability

• Dark mode can be easier on the eyes in low-light environments.

• Proper contrast and legibility ensure an inclusive experience.

3. Battery Efficiency (For OLED Screens)

• Dark mode reduces energy consumption on OLED screens by turning off pixels.

• This helps prolong battery life, making it a practical choice for mobile users.

2. Key Design Principles for Dark & Light Modes

1. Use Semantic Colors, Not Just Direct Inversion

Instead of simply inverting colors, define semantic color tokens:

• background-primary, text-primary, border-muted → Change dynamically based on mode.

• Avoid pure black (#000000) or pure white (#FFFFFF), as they can be harsh on the eyes.

2. Maintain Readability & Contrast

• Ensure text remains legible in both modes by adjusting contrast levels.

• Use tools like WCAG contrast checkers to verify accessibility.

• Aim for at least 4.5:1 contrast ratio for text against the background.

3. Handle Images & Media Properly

• Use transparent PNGs or SVGs instead of images with baked-in backgrounds.

• Consider auto-adjusting illustrations and icons to match the theme.

• Add a subtle drop shadow on dark backgrounds to maintain depth.

4. Preserve Brand Identity Across Themes

• Ensure primary brand colors look good in both light and dark contexts.

• Avoid colors that lose meaning when brightness is adjusted.

• Test brand assets in both themes to maintain consistency.

3. Implementing Dark & Light Mode in UI Design

In Figma:

• Use variants to create dark and light mode versions of components.

• Organize colors using a design token system.

• Prototype theme toggling to preview the switch dynamically.

4. Testing & Refining the Experience

• Manually switch themes to spot inconsistencies.

• Gather user feedback on readability and usability.

• Use OS-based preference detection to set the default theme automatically.

5. Conclusion: Design for Both, Give Users Control

Supporting both dark and light modes enhances the user experience, offering comfort, accessibility, and personalization. By following semantic design principles, ensuring proper contrast, and maintaining brand consistency, you can create a seamless theme-switching experience.

Whether your users prefer dark mode for late-night work or light mode for bright environments, giving them the choice makes your product more user-friendly. 🌙☀️