Colorsthose

Colorsthose is a color theory framework and open-source software library designed to help designers and developers create accessible color palettes. It pairs a tokenized color catalog with tools for contrast checking, perceptual color analysis, and palette generation tailored for diverse viewing conditions.

Origins: Colorsthose originated in an open-community project in the late 2010s, with contributors from design and development backgrounds. The name blends “colors” with “those,” reflecting a focus on inclusive color decisions that consider a broad range of users.

Features: The framework provides a WCAG-aligned contrast validator, an engine for perceptual color comparisons using established color spaces and algorithms, and a palette generator that outputs CSS variables or JSON tokens. It also includes a color-vision deficiency simulator to preview palettes for common conditions such as deutan, protan, and tritan, and offers integrations via a JavaScript API and a command-line interface.

Usage and impact: Teams use colorsthose to build accessible design systems, validate existing palettes, and automate palette creation. It is used in web and app development to reduce accessibility risk and improve consistency across products.

Lifecycle and licensing: It is maintained by an international community, with contributions under the MIT license. The project provides documentation, example datasets, and a growing ecosystem of plugins linking design tools and frontend frameworks.