Initially dark mode was popularized in mobile applications, but apparently it became a necessity and a cool feature for a website ("...my site has a dark mode, I care about my users, it's my competitive advantage"). But what is dark mode and why has it become such a prominent element of modern website design? Does it make sense to spend large budgets on its development?

What is dark mode?

Dark mode is a mode, a certain state of elements on the site, as you can guess from the name. Unlike the traditional light mode, which uses a white background with dark text, dark mode provides a visual inversion.And if the designer and developer implemented the dark version correctly, it will have many benefits. Reduces eye strain. Information on the site is easier to perceive in low light. And, depending on the type of display, they can significantly reduce battery consumption. That is, in general, make life easier for its user.

How to develop?

Redesign Contrast. When developing a dark theme, you need to consider the contrast standard. This is how much contrast an element should have.Get rid of (reduce) the number of bright colors. When we design a basic version, we use bright colors to highlight important elements. But when designing a dark dark version, bright colors will strain and even the opposite, distract from important elements.Avoid pure black. Pure black does not exist, so why would we use it?Stick to branding. Although we are developing a dark theme, it doesn't mean we can move away from the branding of the company. Elements such as logos, icons and company colors should remain recognizable and harmonious, regardless of the chosen mode.

"Avoid implementing a dark mode purely for aesthetic reasons if it doesn't fit the content or context of the interface."

Necessity

Dark mode is popular, but not required. Users like dark mode, but they behave similarly without it. They think about it at the system level, not at the application level. For developers, it's an additional waste of time and resources.

Conditional: If you don't have Twitter resources, why spend another plus half of your budget on dark mode. Although, on the other hand, it's cool and useful)