Color Palettes
for Data and Design, Purposeful, Bias-Free, and Ready to Use
Project At A Glance
Color is not decoration. It carries meaning, reinforces bias, and shapes how people read data. These palettes were created to fix that — each one built around a specific purpose, a deliberate design philosophy, and a real project need. Palettes available include IronOcean for marine and ocean themes, Genderly Gender Inclusive for work that goes beyond the male and female binary, Genderly for two gender groupings without the pink and blue bias, Red Dock for above, below, and average comparisons, Twilight Coast for single color coastal themes, and Crimson Brick for warning and crisis states. Every palette includes hex codes, named colors, swatches, and setup instructions. All are free to use.
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way.”
- Georgia O'Keefe, Artist
It all begins with an idea. What story does your data want to tell? From there, the numbers take the form of charts, graphs, and viz. To emphasize the story and help the viewer quickly understand the viz's point, the data scientist then adds color.
Having found that I was repeatedly returning to certain color palettes, I have created a repository of the color palettes I use in my viz. This resource should help me save time and add consistency to my designs.
Color Palette Information
For more color palette tools and resources for data visualization, visit the Color Palette section of the Resources page, which includes tools specifically designed for accessible and inclusive design.
Good color choices make complex data clearer and more honest. These palettes started as solutions to specific problems in specific projects and became resources for anyone who needs the same clarity in their own work.
For The Curious
What color palettes are available on this page?
Palettes available include IronOcean for ocean and marine themes, Genderly Gender Inclusive for expanded gender identities beyond male and female, Genderly for two gender groupings without the pink and blue bias, Red Dock for above, below, and average comparisons, Twilight Coast for single color coastal themes, and Crimson Brick for warning and crisis states.
Are these color palettes free to use?
Yes — all palettes on this page are free to use. Each one includes hex codes, named colors, swatches, and setup instructions for common tools.
What is the Genderly Gender Inclusive palette?
Genderly Gender Inclusive is a color palette that goes beyond the male and female binary to include additional gender identities. It was created to support projects that represent gender more fully and accurately, without defaulting to pink and blue.
What is the IronOcean palette?
IronOcean was custom-created for the Ocean Health Index IronViz 2021 project, pulling colors directly from an underwater photograph. Key colors include Rich Black for backgrounds, Maximum Blue Green for positive results, and Orange Crayola for areas needing improvement.
How do I use these palettes in my own projects?
Each palette page includes hex codes and setup instructions. For most tools, you can copy the hex codes directly. Setup instructions for common tools are included with each palette page.