diff --git a/doc/modus-themes.org b/doc/modus-themes.org index 0f93964..14973a8 100644 --- a/doc/modus-themes.org +++ b/doc/modus-themes.org @@ -3385,6 +3385,34 @@ you've customized any faces. In this section we provide answers related to some aspects of the Modus themes' design and application. +** Is the contrast ratio about adjacent colors? +:properties: +:custom_id: h:5ce7ae2e-9348-4e55-b4cf-9302345b1826 +:end: +#+cindex: Contrast between adjacent colors + +The minimum contrast ratio in relative luminance that the themes conform +with always refers to any given combination of background and foreground +colors. If we have some blue colored text next to a magenta one, both +against a white background, we do not mean to imply that blue:magenta is +7:1 in terms of relative luminance. Rather, we state that blue:white +and magenta:white each are 7:1 or higher. + +The point of reference is always the background. Because colors have +about the same minimum distance in luminance from their backdrop, they +necessarily are fairly close to each other in this measure. A possible +blue:magenta combination would naturally be around 1:1 in contrast of +the sort here considered. + +To differentiate between sequential colors, we rely on hueness by +mapping contrasting hues to adjacent constructs, while avoiding +exaggerations. A blue next to a magenta can be told apart regardless of +their respective contrast ratio against their common background. +Exceptions would be tiny characters in arguably not so realistic cases, +such as two dots drawn side-by-side which for some reason would need to +be colored differently. They would still be legible though, which is +the primary objective of the Modus themes. + * Contributing :properties: :custom_id: h:9c3cd842-14b7-44d7-84b2-a5c8bc3fc3b1