In my visual design workshops, I often explore the emotional impact of colors, showing one hue at a time on a slide. Participants typically respond that red is “energetic, exciting, and passionate.” In contrast, the response to blue is “calm, serene, and relaxed.”  However, when it comes to the color gray, participants consistently agree that it feels “blah, boring, and dull.”

Yes, that is the benefit of the color gray! As a neutral color, it recedes into the background. If I were to personify gray, I’d say it’s selfless. It hides itself so other colors can shine.

Have you ever wondered why the chrome surrounding most software is gray as are user interfaces? Gray is muted, timeless, and neutral. It doesn’t distract. Here is why I love the color gray for learning design and why it deserves a spot in your eLearning and slide color palette.

1. Gray is Neutral

A neutral hue does not compete with other colors. It allows the designer to use it as a background so that other colors stand out. Gray is also ideal between more vibrant hues to create a sense of balance. Gray is the perfect intermediary so you can avoid clashing or conflicting color juxtapositions.

2. Gray Supports the Focal Point

With a gray background, the learning designer can point the viewer’s attention to the focal point of the design. Using a visual hierarchy, learners will be able to attend to the most important visual element with no distractions. Gray tones reduce visual noise and allow text, images, and colorful accents to stand out. Another reason to love the color gray for learning design! See How to Establish a Visual Hierarchy in eLearning.

3. Gray Has Many Variations

In its pure form, gray is a mixture of varying degrees of black and white. A pale gray (#eeeeee) with more white than black, has a calming effect. A dark gray (#444444) with more black has more impact than the lighter gray. In the right context, it may feel as ominous as dark stormy clouds approaching.

Value is the relative lightness or darkness of a color. Our perception of value is relative and is based on the lightness or darkness of the surrounding elements. You can alter the value of a color by increasing or decreasing the gray to make it more vivid or more muted. A bluish-gray (#839bb3) is more muted than a vivid blue. The same goes for a pinkish-gray (#e2c9c7). There are endless variations on what you can do with gray.

4. Gray Calms Down Busy Designs

Did you ever use an eye-catching background with shapes and movement, only to discover that something wasn’t working? And then you realize that the background was too busy? The focal point got lost in the whirlwind of shapes and colors. You can always calm down a design by adding a neutral gray background or replacing some foreground elements with a shade of gray. It will magically transform your work so viewers can focus on your key message.

5. Gray Fits In Most Styles

Gray isn’t snobbish. It can fit into most designs. Whether your composition is retro, modern, traditional, or complex, you can use gray as a neutral color. It will let the other colors attract attention regardless of your design’s style. (I’ll admit, it may not fit into a wild and colorful design.)

6. Gray Has Many Moods

Depending on the shade or tint of gray, it can evoke serenity, neutrality, or feel oppressive. It’s a good choice when you want to create a subdued or contemplative mood without overwhelming the viewer. On the other hand, you can use gray for an edgy contemporary feel.

7. Gray is Sophisticated and Elegant

There’s a reason luxury brands use a lot of gray. Over the years, it has come to be associated with luxury, elegance, and modernity. Perhaps it is due to an association with sleek technologies, high-end products, and minimalist designs. Think of it as adding polish to your designs.

8. Gray Can Improve Legibility

Another reason to use the color gray in learning design is to improve legibility. Legibility refers to how easy it is to distinguish between one letter and another. It’s essential to have a high contrast between text and its background for clear legibility. However, in some situations, you may need to soften a stark white background, which may shimmer a little in some environments (like projected into a large room) or may tire the eyes.

A very light gray can take the edge off of the shimmer or glare and soften the contrast while still meeting accessibility standards. Similarly, you can soften contrast by using dark gray text instead of black on a light background. To better understand how to work with contrast, see Using Contrast to Improve Visual Accessibility in eLearning.

9. Gray Excels at Borders, Boxes, and Rules

When you need a slight emphasis around a shape or a photo to tidy things but don’t want too much emphasis, create a thin border using gray. When you want a smooth visual transition to differentiate text from the background, a light gray text box does the trick. You can also use gray shapes to organize a layout with its subtle and unobtrusive character. And if you want to make a title pop just a little with a thin rule (line) below the text or to separate sections of a screen without much fanfare, turn to gray once again.

10. Gray Adds Depth and Dimension

You can use gray to add depth to objects without too much effort. A partially transparent gray is an excellent color for shadows. You can also use a gradient of gray to add dimension and texture to a shape or object if you’re not going for a flat design.

Conclusion

In learning design, we strive to ensure learners see and understand the most important ideas and concepts without distraction. Gray is an exceptional companion because it’s utilitarian, sets a mood, and stays in the background, allowing more essential elements to stand out.

For More About Gray