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Contrast
How different two colors look next to each other — needed so white icons stay readable on category bars.
Why this word exists
Pretty colors can still fail eyes. Contrast is how different two colors look next to each other — needed so white icons stay readable on category bars and plates.
Keep and Artsy treat contrast notes seriously. Washes and accents must keep type readable too.
Where you will meet it
ChipA small pill or tag that labels a category, score, or filter — often in a chip bar at the top of a card.-bars, strips, and heroThe big top artwork or banner on a page, above the main copy. washes get contrast glances. Honesty pages still need readable footers.
Examples
- White icon on a pale plateA flat colored panel behind a nav item or control — on Botski, the beige, tan, or gray nav plates. fails contrast; Artsy darkens the plate tokenA named design value (color, spacing) in code so the same color is reused everywhere..
- ChipA small pill or tag that labels a category, score, or filter — often in a chip bar at the top of a card. text contrast passes after an accentA small color highlight (bar, underline, glow) that marks meaning without painting the whole page. tweak.
- WashA soft gradient or fade laid over a hero or banner so text stays readable. under a heroThe big top artwork or banner on a page, above the main copy. improves title contrast without hiding art.
Fetched 2026-09-23 CT.