In the dynamic advancement of technology, there is a new design trend that seems to dominate the digital screens—Dark Mode. If you use some social media platform or write a document at night, I am sure you have encountered Dark Mode at least once. However, what is it that one can achieve through the Dark Mode and why is it gaining an enormous popularity?
What is Dark Mode?
Dark mode or night mode or dark theme is a type of UI design in which contents are displayed with dark background and light colored texts/objects. Basically, while light mode is mainly unidimensional with black font over a bright background, dark mode swaps the background to be dark while the font is typically lighter. I actually think it is an effective descriptive of how it is like to have the lights switched off in the electrically lit virtual space.
It is therefore shocking to find out why individuals are going gaga over this simple feature, why they feel the attraction towards it is uncontrollable, and why a simple software modality that completely changes the appearance of their devices is so compelling.
Reduced Eye Strain: First, and perhaps most commonly, users switched to Dark Mode to reduce eye strain in the dark and at night. The black theme provides less light to the screen therefore, your eyes do not strain when working or viewing items for long.
Battery Savings: It would appear that, for users with a device equipped with an OLED or AMOLED display, Dark Mode can help to save battery. These screens enlighten each single pixel and in cases of the Dark Mode, a lesser number of pixels light up hence less power is used.
Aesthetic Appeal: Some users just prefer the look that Dark Mode gives to their device. A dark theme is contemporary in design and as such, the interface is bound to look classier and more elegant than its lighter counterpart.
Dark Mode in Other Applications and Web Interfaces
Dark Mode has not restricted itself to particular types of applications or platforms; rather, it extends to the various spheres.
Social Media Apps: Today, the most-used social networks like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook have incorporated Dark Mode for the clients’ comfort. You no longer have to deal with a white background that produces an unwanted glare as you scroll through the updates feed.
Operating Systems: The mobile and the desktop OS such as iOS, Android, MAC OS and Windows have included Dark Mode settings. This makes it possible for users to switch from using light color as a theme to dark color and vice versa depending on their preference or the intensity of light in the environment.
Productivity Tools: Dark Mode has also been adopted consistently for products that are related to utilities or office suites. Word processors such as Microsoft Office and Google Docs and many coding interfaces include a dark theme for increased concentration during the working shift.
Designing for the Night: When using an organization’s best practices, the following is usually employed:
Therefore, apart from having a simple black background or switching to lighter text on a black background, there is much that designers and developers can do in creating good Dark Mode interfaces. Here are some best practices:Here are some best practices:
Contrast is Key: Make sure the ratio of the black color of the background to the white color of the text is average as to enhance the ease of reading the content. In terms of contrast, the ratio needs to be chosen carefully to ensure it would not negatively impact the comfort of the user.
Customization Options: Allow the users to switch between the two modes; the Dark Mode and Light Mode. It therefore means that while some users may prefer one over the other it may depend on personal preference or exigency of a situation.
Consistency Across Platforms: If you or your app/website is available on multiple platforms, do make the Dark Mode experience cohesive across all the platforms. The design should appear equally familiar to the users no matter the device they are using.
Therefore, the Dark Mode experience is no longer a fad but an enabler of easy-to-use applications that improve usability. Whether one likes to work late into the night or has a simple preference for the aesthetics of gothic interfaces, dark mode has inserted itself into our existence as an aesthetic and functional necessity in a rather posh manner than we needed it to be. Therefore, the next time you are scrolling through your applications or editing a piece during the nighttime, switch to the Dark Mode and welcome the night in style.
