S2E13.1: Keys to balancing aesthetics and accessibility in web design

In Episode 13.1, host Virgil Carroll is joined by co-host Cole and developer Chad to talk about something deceptively complicated: color. Specifically, the intersection of color palettes, visual design, and accessibility—and why getting it wrong can tank your user experience. While color choices often get made in design tools or branding meetings, they don’t always translate well to real-world implementation. The crew breaks down why the prettiest colors can create the ugliest accessibility problems once they hit the web.They dig into key challenges and lessons, including:Why accessible design isn’t just about having the right colors—it's about using them correctlyHow contrast ratios break down across devices and screen sizesWhy bright and “fun” color palettes often fail accessibility testingHow to bring visual flair to a site without sacrificing inclusivityThe difference between decorative vs. purposeful color use—and why it matters From failed color combinations to misused font sizing, Virgil, Cole, and Chad share their own battle scars from High Monkey’s recent site redesign—and explain how inclusive design forces teams to think functionally, not just aesthetically. If you’ve ever struggled to make your brand colors work on the web—or if you're tired of your site failing contrast tests but you still want some color pop—this episode’s for you.For more conversations about digital strategy, UX, accessibility, and all the ways we get it wrong (and how to get it right), visit www.discussingstupid.com and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.(0:00) - Intro(2:43) - Accessibility and your brand's color palette(6:03) - Factoring in font sizes(7:54) - I still want color pop on my website!!(11:36) - The approach we took with our new site's color scheme(15:13) - OutroSubscribe for email updates on our website:https://www.discussingstupid.com/Watch us on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@discussingstupidListen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Soundcloud:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discussing-stupid-a-byte-sized-podcast-on-stupid-ux/id1428145024https://open.spotify.com/show/0c47grVFmXk1cco63QioHp?si=87dbb37a4ca441c0https://soundcloud.com/discussing-stupidCheck Us Out on Socials:https://www.linkedin.com/company/discussing-stupidhttps://www.instagram.com/discussingstupid/https://www.facebook.com/discussingstupidhttps://x.com/DiscussStupid

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