Deep Black: UI Standard, Challenge on Modern Screens

It's curious how, in many industries with a strong visual focus, the use of deep black #000 is avoided, while in technology, such as interface design, it is used as a standard for text and backgrounds.

Even top design studios and major players adopt it.

In photography and film, no matter how dark a scene is, shadows are used to separate elements from the background. This naturally occurs in interface design, but over a pure black background, this separation can be lost.

Perhaps because we perceive screens more as a set of elements than as a scene, the use of flat elements is more common.

Currently, the market includes screens that illuminate all pixels and others that can turn off pixels to reproduce deep black.

If the screen is of the first type, there is no issue. However, on screens with technologies that allow better black gradation or even pixel shutdown, this contrast can be excessive.

In typography, black on white can burn the smoothing, giving the impression of lower quality.

On low- and mid-range devices, this difference in contrast usually goes unnoticed. However, it is clearly visible on high-end monitors and smartphones, such as those from Apple and Samsung.

For this reason, we encourage the use of blacks that still emit light, such as #020202, #040404, #060606, or #080808. Additionally, these allow for subtle cool or warm undertones, making them a more suitable alternative for interface design.