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Accessible viz

If it only works in hue, it does not work — patterns, contrast and text that survive greyscale.

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Accessible viz

Accessible viz encodes values as redundant channels: position, pattern, label, not hue alone. Ishihara plates 1917; WCAG 2 contrast; Okabe–Ito palettes for deuteranopia.

In reports, ads and assignments it fits public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal slides. Skip it when relying on red/green alone to mean bad/good.

This page gathers anatomy, fit, craft, failure modes and work / ads / school recipes for Accessible viz.

FormAccessible viz
Since1917
Encodesredundant channels:…
Best forpublic dashboards, exams,…
Avoidrelying on red/green alone…
Studiocraft

Profile

Clarity
96
Persuasion
44
Density
38
Craft cost
58
School fit
80
Work fit
91
964438588091

Seven chapters

The idea

If it only works in hue, it does not work — patterns, contrast and text that survive greyscale. History. public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal slides.

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Anatomy

If it only works in hue, it does not work — patterns, contrast and text that survive greyscale. Mark. public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal slides.

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When to use

If it only works in hue, it does not work — patterns, contrast and text that survive greyscale. Fit. public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal slides.

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Craft

If it only works in hue, it does not work — patterns, contrast and text that survive greyscale. Rules. public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal slides.

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Mistakes

If it only works in hue, it does not work — patterns, contrast and text that survive greyscale. Failure modes. public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal…

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Studio

If it only works in hue, it does not work — patterns, contrast and text that survive greyscale. Work. public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal slides.

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Tools

If it only works in hue, it does not work — patterns, contrast and text that survive greyscale. Software. public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal slides.

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Frequently asked questions

When should I pick Accessible viz?
When the story is public dashboards, exams, print in grey, legal slides.
When should I avoid Accessible viz?
When relying on red/green alone to mean bad/good.
Who invented or popularised it?
Ishihara plates 1917; WCAG 2 contrast; Okabe–Ito palettes for deuteranopia
What does it encode?
redundant channels: position, pattern, label, not hue alone
Is it OK in ads?
Yes if one claim is visible at a glance in Meta, Google and retail print; otherwise link to a full figure.
Will a teacher accept it?
Yes for lab reports and poster boards if axes, units and a source line are present.
Which tool?
Excel or Google Sheets or PowerPoint; export SVG/PDF.
How do I keep it accessible?
Do not rely on hue alone. Label directly and check greyscale.

Related

🎨 Color systems

Hue is a tool, not decoration — categorical, sequential and diverging scales for charts and ads.

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✒️ Data-ink

Every pixel should earn its keep — Tufte’s test for reports, and a warning against cute ads.

Open →

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📁 Work reports

The weekly and quarterly pack — bars, waterfalls and tiles that a manager can read in four minutes.

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