Introduction

The ongoing discussion of Dark mode and Light mode has become so much more than a stylistic preference; it’s transcended to a necessary standard of UX delivery (user experience). 

Gone are the days of arguing about which mode is superior; designers, developers and content creators are more concerned with how to effectively offer both options and allow their users the autonomy to choose the best interface. 

The rise of dark mode is more than just a trend; dark mode is a key design decision when considering the eye comfort of the user, providing accessibility for every user and providing users the ultimate sense of control over their digital experience.

The UX Behind the Colours: Understanding the Principles

Choosing between light or dark mode is dictated by human perception and the context of use. Light mode typically has black text on a white background, which relates strongly to printed content. 

Printed content is synonymous with low-contrast text and is considered the standard for convenience in reading, particularly with prolonged reading. Light mode makes printed reading material seem clear, simple, and a comfortable experience. 

Dark mode uses a light-on-dark colour scheme (these terms are interchangeable, although this is not a true colour inversion). Dark mode uses a different colour palette in an attempt to create an immersive and smooth ‘experience’, with a stylish and contemporary feeling. 

Dark mode is very useful in media-heavy applications like video streaming services or photo editing applications, making the work or media pop. Additionally, there is a psychology behind the general perception of dark mode being stylish and “rich”.

Dark Mode vs Light Mode: Which is Better for Eyes?

The question of dark mode versus light mode, which is better for the eyes, is not a simple one with one answer. 

The primary advantage of dark mode is that it reduces eye strain, especially in a subdued light performance setting, where a dark screen emits less light for the user’s eyes, and specifically for users accessing their phone or other device at night. 

Dark mode will also reduce exposure to blue light at night. It is known that blue light disrupts sleep patterns, which is why many people enjoy browsing in dark mode late at night.

Of course, dark mode is not a universal solution. For individuals with astigmatism or other impairments to vision, light mode (dark text on a light background) generally increases contrast and is much easier to read. 

Light text on a dark background is difficult to read, as it can become blurry or have a “halation effect” where the light bleeds into the dark space. 

This is why, for many users, to get the greatest comfort in bright conditions or pouring through information-dense text, light mode for reading remains preferred.

The Impact and Necessity of Dark Mode on User Experience

In the context of accessibility blog posts, 25% of respondents identified dark mode as either a must-have or a necessity, assuming website behaviour adhered to WCAG compliance.

The first notable point of impact is:

Improved Visibility: 

In low-light scenarios, whether someone is in a dark room or it is at night, dark mode helps visibility tremendously, ultimately making the device significantly less harsh on their eyes and thus perfoming user comfort and overall experience.  

In poor lighting situations, either in a dimly lit room or at night, dark mode improves visibility significantly, making the device much less overwhelming on users’ eyes. Hence, improving user comfort and experience.

Reduced Eye Strain: 

As I mentioned, dark mode decreases the amount of light coming from the screen, potentially helping to offset the eye fatigue that can accumulate when staring at all types of screens. 

Enhanced Content Focus: 

Because the design elements of the interface are pushed to the background, a dark theme allows the content — photos, videos, charts, etc. — to step into the foreground. This ultimately is a better, more focused experience and can feel more immersive for the user.

Accessibility: 

For the user with light sensitivity, visual impairment, or some types of medical conditions, dark mode will remain an indispensable accessibility feature, where the user ultimately has the control to manage the interface to their own comfort level of luminance.

Energy Efficiency: 

For devices with OLED or AMOLED screens, dark mode is also good for battery life. All of these types of screens save battery power with the black pixels being turned off, therefore a darker interface on a screen will consume less energy than a lighter one. 

Meets User Expectations: 

Given the popularity of dark mode, users are now on the lookout for this option. An experience without a dark mode can feel old and inadequate to the users’ needs, which will affect their overall satisfaction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the goal is not to push users to a specific aesthetic but to allow them to create their own version of a digital ecosystem. 

Allowing users to select either dark mode or light mode, and providing a way for users to easily toggle from dark mode to light mode, is an act of empathy for the poor user’s need for a more inclusive and flexible user experience choice.

The future of interface design is choice; acknowledging that the best user experience is one that allows the user to adapt the experience to their comfort, situation and needs!

As a step towards empowering designers with the competencies needed to create these flexible and inclusive experiences, UI/UX courses are increasingly becoming part of continued professional development by offering foundational principles of user research, empathy mapping, and responsive design which are important for successful modern interfaces.