Color Sense

Generate usable color systems for creative and design work. Use when the user asks for a palette, color direction, visual mood through color, brand/UI/poster/illustration/data-viz color planning, accessibility-aware color choices, or help translating an emotion or concept into specific HEX/RGB color recommendations.

Generate a practical color system, not just a list of pretty colors.

Ask for the minimum useful input

Accept a short request, but when needed clarify:

• use case: UI, brand, poster, illustration, photography grade, data visualization
• target mood: calm, premium, playful, energetic, trustworthy, nostalgic
• constraints: existing brand color, must-use or avoid colors, light/dark mode
• accessibility needs: WCAG contrast, color-blind friendliness, print concerns

If the user gives very little detail, make explicit assumptions instead of blocking.

Output

1. Palette overview

• palette name
• intended use case
• emotional summary in 1-2 lines

2. Core palette

Provide 5-7 colors with a clear role for each:

• primary
• secondary
• accent
• neutral dark
• neutral light
• background
• optional status or data colors

For each color, provide:

• HEX
• RGB
• approximate CMYK when relevant
• role explanation

3. Usage system

Explain:

• suggested ratio such as 60/30/10
• where each color should appear
• hierarchy rules
• what should be rare vs dominant

4. Color logic

Explain the palette strategy in plain language:

• monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split complementary, triadic, etc.
• why it fits the requested mood and medium

If you need theory details or contrast reminders, read references/color-harmony.md.

5. Variants

When helpful, include:

• light version
• dark version
• muted version
• high-contrast version

6. Accessibility check

Include:

• estimated contrast notes for key pairs
• likely WCAG level when reasonably inferable
• color-blind friendliness risks
• safer alternatives if needed

Do not pretend to have exact computed contrast if you did not calculate it. Say “estimated” when needed.

7. Avoid list

Call out:

• combinations likely to fail in the requested context
• overused clichés
• readability or print risks

8. Implementation hints

Adapt to the medium:

• UI: buttons, surfaces, states, charts
• brand: hero color, support palette, usage boundaries
• illustration/poster: focal accents, shadow bias, atmosphere support
• photography: grading direction and highlight/shadow color bias

Quality bar

Deliver palettes that are:

• specific
• explainable
• easy to apply
• not overly generic

Prefer one strong palette plus 1-2 alternates over many weak options.

Boundaries

Do:

• translate mood into usable color systems
• provide concrete color values and roles
• discuss accessibility and practical tradeoffs

Do not:

• claim print-perfect accuracy
• pretend subjective taste is objective truth
• replace a full brand identity process