Sufficient contrast between text and background is essential for readability.

Common issues:

• Light text on light backgrounds

• Dark text on heavily textured backgrounds

• Decorative overlays that reduce clarity

Best practices:

• Use high contrast between text and background

• Avoid placing text over busy images

• Test designs in both bright and low-light conditions

If text blends into the background, it will be difficult to read for many users.

Font size should be chosen based on card size and reading distance, not aesthetic preference.

Consider:

• Larger cards are often read at a distance

• Smaller cards are read quickly and briefly

• Longer reading sessions increase eye strain

Best practices:

• Avoid overly small body text

• Prioritise legibility over decorative typefaces

• Use hierarchy to separate headings from body text

If users need to strain to read, the font size is too small.

Sufficient contrast between text and background is essential for readability.

Common issues:

• Light text on light backgrounds

• Dark text on heavily textured backgrounds

• Decorative overlays that reduce clarity

Best practices:

• Use high contrast between text and background

• Avoid placing text over busy images

• Test designs in both bright and low-light conditions

If text blends into the background, it will be difficult to read for many users.

Font size should be chosen based on card size and reading distance, not aesthetic preference.

Consider:

• Larger cards are often read at a distance

• Smaller cards are read quickly and briefly

• Longer reading sessions increase eye strain

Best practices:

• Avoid overly small body text

• Prioritise legibility over decorative typefaces

• Use hierarchy to separate headings from body text

If users need to strain to read, the font size is too small.

Sufficient contrast between text and background is essential for readability.

Common issues:

• Light text on light backgrounds

• Dark text on heavily textured backgrounds

• Decorative overlays that reduce clarity

Best practices:

• Use high contrast between text and background

• Avoid placing text over busy images

• Test designs in both bright and low-light conditions

If text blends into the background, it will be difficult to read for many users.

Font size should be chosen based on card size and reading distance, not aesthetic preference.

Consider:

• Larger cards are often read at a distance

• Smaller cards are read quickly and briefly

• Longer reading sessions increase eye strain

Best practices:

• Avoid overly small body text

• Prioritise legibility over decorative typefaces

• Use hierarchy to separate headings from body text

If users need to strain to read, the font size is too small.

Colour should not be the only way information is conveyed.

Why this matters:

• Colour vision deficiency is common

• Red–green distinctions are especially problematic

Best practices:

• Combine colour with text, icons, or patterns

• Avoid relying on colour alone to indicate meaning

• Test palettes for clarity without colour cues

Clear communication should not depend on perfect colour perception.

Icons can support understanding or create confusion if poorly chosen.

Common issues:

• Ambiguous or abstract icons

• Icons that rely on cultural assumptions

• Icons that are too small to recognise

Best practices:

• Use simple, widely recognised symbols

• Keep icon styles consistent across the deck

• Pair icons with text when clarity matters

Icons should reinforce meaning, not replace it.

Colour should not be the only way information is conveyed.

Why this matters:

• Colour vision deficiency is common

• Red–green distinctions are especially problematic

Best practices:

• Combine colour with text, icons, or patterns

• Avoid relying on colour alone to indicate meaning

• Test palettes for clarity without colour cues

Clear communication should not depend on perfect colour perception.

Icons can support understanding or create confusion if poorly chosen.

Common issues:

• Ambiguous or abstract icons

• Icons that rely on cultural assumptions

• Icons that are too small to recognise

Best practices:

• Use simple, widely recognised symbols

• Keep icon styles consistent across the deck

• Pair icons with text when clarity matters

Icons should reinforce meaning, not replace it.

Colour should not be the only way information is conveyed.

Why this matters:

• Colour vision deficiency is common

• Red–green distinctions are especially problematic

Best practices:

• Combine colour with text, icons, or patterns

• Avoid relying on colour alone to indicate meaning

• Test palettes for clarity without colour cues

Clear communication should not depend on perfect colour perception.

Icons can support understanding or create confusion if poorly chosen.

Common issues:

• Ambiguous or abstract icons

• Icons that rely on cultural assumptions

• Icons that are too small to recognise

Best practices:

• Use simple, widely recognised symbols

• Keep icon styles consistent across the deck

• Pair icons with text when clarity matters

Icons should reinforce meaning, not replace it.