Color Palette Generator

The Idea

Color selection is one of the most challenging aspects of design. This experiment explores generating harmonious color palettes programmatically using color theory.

Color Theory Basics

The generator supports several harmony types:

• Complementary: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel
• Analogous: Colors adjacent to each other
• Triadic: Three colors equally spaced around the wheel
• Split-complementary: A color and two colors adjacent to its complement

Implementation

The core algorithm works in HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) color space, which makes it easier to calculate color relationships:

function getComplementary(hsl) {
  return {
    h: (hsl.h + 180) % 360,
    s: hsl.s,
    l: hsl.l
  };
}

What I Learned

• HSL is more intuitive than RGB for color manipulation
• Accessibility (contrast ratios) should be built-in, not an afterthought
• Small random variations make palettes feel more natural