At Universal Paints, colour is central to how we help people shape the spaces they live and work in. From bold feature walls to subtle, calming tones, the right shade of paint can dramatically transform a room. But what does colour mean for someone who sees it differently?
Colour blindness – more accurately referred to as colour vision deficiency – affects a significant number of people worldwide, including many South Africans. Recognising how people experience colour in different ways is an important part of making products and spaces more inclusive and accessible.
Understanding Colour Blindness
Colour blindness does not mean seeing the world in black and white. Most people with the condition can still see colours, but they may struggle to distinguish between certain shades. The most common form is red-green colour blindness, where reds, greens, browns, and oranges can appear very similar. Less common is blue-yellow colour blindness, while monochromacy – seeing no colour at all – is extremely rare.
In South Africa, it’s estimated that around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some form of colour vision deficiency. While many people adapt well, it can affect everyday decisions, including choosing clothing, reading colour-coded information, or selecting paint colours for their homes or businesses.
Colour in the South African Context
South Africa is a nation celebrated for its diversity and vibrancy. From the pastel houses of Bo-Kaap to traditional Ndebele art and the bold colours of township murals, colour is woven into our culture and communities. It plays a vital role in personal expression, cultural identity, and even economic activity – especially in industries like design, education, and construction.
For those with colour blindness, navigating this world of colour can pose subtle but meaningful challenges. Understanding this helps us all – manufacturers, retailers, designers, and consumers – consider how to make colour more approachable for everyone.
Paint and Perception
When it comes to paint, colour selection is a key part of the process. For someone with colour blindness, choosing between similar shades might be difficult, especially if they rely on visual cues alone. Tone, contrast, and finish can all affect how a colour is perceived – and in some cases, what seems like a small difference to one person may be invisible to another.
That’s why raising awareness about colour vision differences can be valuable, both for customers and professionals who assist them. Offering a variety of cues – such as written descriptions, clear naming, and strong contrast – can help make colour selection more straightforward for everyone, regardless of how they see colour.
A Shared Responsibility
While not all companies are in a position to design specifically for colour blindness, there is growing awareness across industries about the importance of accessibility in product presentation and design. In the world of paint and décor, that might include avoiding confusing colour pairings, making use of high-contrast displays, or simply providing helpful guidance when customers are choosing colours.
At Universal Paints, we’re part of this conversation. We aim to support customers in making confident decisions about colour and finish, and we continue to learn about how different people experience the spaces they live in. Whether someone has perfect colour vision or not, their choice of paint should feel informed, empowering, and expressive.
Looking Forward
Creating an inclusive experience for all South Africans means recognising that people see and experience the world in different ways. Colour blindness is just one example of how diverse those experiences can be. By raising awareness and encouraging more inclusive thinking around colour, the industry as a whole can become more accessible to everyone.
At Universal Paints, we believe that colour is something everyone should be able to enjoy – no matter how they see it.
Here are 2 interesting online colour tests to try.
Hue test – try it out here (click)
Colour blindness test (click) (ps: No need to send your email, just click on No, thanks and continue to test result)
