Visual Design
Saturation
Saturation is how vivid or muted a color is. A fully saturated color is at its most intense; reducing saturation moves it toward grey.
Why it matters
Saturation shapes the mood and readability of an interface. Colors that are too intense can feel harsh or tiring, while well-judged saturation feels calm and deliberate.
In depth
Saturation is one part of how we describe color, alongside hue (which color it is) and lightness (how light or dark). A common mistake is using maximum saturation everywhere, which leaves no room for emphasis and can strain the eyes. Pulling saturation back, especially on large surfaces, usually makes a palette feel more grown-up.
Real-world example
A bright, fully saturated brand red can vibrate uncomfortably against a dark background, so it is often toned down a little for dark mode.
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