Accessibility and inclusive colour use

K3 Advisory Group is committed to ensuring that our visual identity supports clarity, usability and inclusivity across all audiences and environments.

Our colour system has been reviewed and tested to ensure sufficient contrast, tonal distinction and differentiation across common forms of colour vision deficiency (CVD), including red–green and blue–yellow variations.

The K3 palette has been assessed to ensure:

  • Clear tonal contrast between foreground and background combinations
  • Differentiation across common CVD simulations
  • Legibility in both light and dark environments
  • Usability across digital interfaces and printed materials

As the K3 brand evolves across new platforms and environments, colour combinations must continue to be tested and validated.

Inclusive design reinforces our values of clarity, integrity and professionalism – ensuring our communications are usable, credible and confident for all audiences.

Clear communication must be accessible communication.
Governance requirement (WCAG)

All digital applications must meet WCAG 2.1 AA contrast standards as a minimum. To maintain compliance:

  • Do not rely on colour alone to convey meaning.
  • Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background (minimum 4.5:1).
  • Validate digital designs using recognised contrast-checking tools.
  • Where accessibility requirements conflict with aesthetic preference, accessibility takes precedence.
Practical application guidance

High contrast combinations – recommended:

  • Pair authority colours (Teal, Ink) with Signal Focus colours for clear differentiation.
  • Use Ice Blue and White as neutral spacers to increase contrast.
  • Reinforce meaning with labels, icons and shapes.

Avoid:

  • Relying solely on colour to distinguish content.
  • Combining colours with similar tonal weight.
  • Using Bright Indigo, Pulse Blue and Electric Violet side-by-side.
  • Using White text on any tint shade.
Insufficient contrast (avoid)
Acceptable contrast

This simulation illustrates how certain blue–violet combinations may lose distinction under common colour vision deficiencies.

Avoid combining Bright Indigo, Pulse Blue and Electric Violet in adjacent blocks or data visualisations, as they have similar tonal values and may not differentiate clearly under colour vision deficiency simulations.

Full colour vision (CMYK)
Protanopia simulation