A color area allows users to visually select two properties of a color simultaneously. It's commonly used together with a color slider or color wheel.
The background of the color area is a visual representation of the range of values that a user can select from. This can represent color properties such as hues or color channel values (such as RGB or CMYK levels). The exact format this background property takes will depend on what implementation you are working with. Some examples of the format include image, canvas, and gradient.
The x and y values are the numbers selected within the color area’s horizontal and vertical axes, respectively.
The x/y min and max values also can be customized appropriately for what the color area is being used for. By default, the min value starts at 0 and max value is set to 100.
The step refers to the increment by which these values increase or decrease. A step value of 1 (default) allows a user to only select whole numbers within the min and max range.
A color area’s width can be customized appropriately for its context. By default, the width is size-2400 (192 px on desktop and 240 px on mobile).
A color area’s height can be customized appropriately for its context. By default, the height is size-2400 (192 px on desktop and 240 px on mobile).
A color area in a disabled state shows that an input exists, but is not available in that circumstance. This can be used to maintain layout continuity and communicate that the area may become available later.
From the design point of view, each component has a number of options. These options and their names are platform agnostic, and each implementation should adapt these to fit into their framework.
Property | Values | Default Value |
---|---|---|
background | – This will vary depending on implementation. | – |
x value | number (from x min to x max) | – |
x min value | number | 0 |
x max value | number | 100 |
y value | number (from y min to y max) | – |
y min value | number | 0 |
y max value | number | 100 |
step | number | 1 |
width | number | size-2400 |
height | number | size-2400 |
is disabled | yes / no | no |
A color area can be navigated using a keyboard. The keyboard focus state enlarges the handle to become twice as large.
The color area’s handle can slide all the way over the edge of the area. It always displays the selected color inside the handle and never gets cut off by the border or any container.
A color area’s minimum width and height is size-800 (64 px on desktop, 80 px on mobile).
When using color areas, it’s important to clearly display the color selection in real time. This can be in a color swatch, directly on the canvas, or both.
The color loupe component can be used above the handle to show the selected color that would otherwise be covered by a mouse, stylus, or finger on the down/touch state. This can be customized to appear only on finger-input, or always appear regardless of input type.
Key | Interaction |
---|---|
Tab | Places focus on the handle. If the handle is already in focus, moves focus to the next element in the page tab sequence. |
Shift + Tab | Places focus on the previous element in the page tab sequence. |
Up, Down, Left, or Right Arrow | Moves the handle up/down/left/right. |
Date | Number | Notes |
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May 13, 2020 | 2.0.0 |
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Mar 26, 2020 | 1.0.1 |
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Apr 20, 2019 | 1.0.0 |
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Includes all interactive states that are applicable (hover, down, focus, keyboard focus, disabled).
Includes relevant options (variant, style, size, orientation, optional iconography, decorations, selection, error state, etc.)
Works properly across all four color themes (lightest, light, dark, darkest).
Includes a desktop scale (UWP, macOS, web desktop) and a mobile scale (iOS, Android, web mobile).
Includes guidelines for layout (wrapping, truncation, overflow), animation, interactions, etc.
Includes a list of dos and don’ts that highlight best practices and common mistakes.
Follows WCAG 2.0 standards for contrast (AA).
Works properly across various locales and includes guidelines for bi-directionality (RTL).
Follows WCAG 2.0 standards for keyboard accessibility guidelines and includes a description of the keyboard interactions.
All design attributes (color, typography, layout, animation, etc.) are included in Spectrum DNA.
Includes a downloadable XD file that has been generated by code and shows multiple variations, states, color themes, and scales.
Component is included in the Spectrum for Adobe XD plugin.