Solarized: A Scientifically-Based Color Scheme

The Significance of Color in Digital Environments

Color is a ubiquitous element of our surroundings. While often associated with aesthetics and visual appeal, color plays a crucial role in mitigating fatigue and reducing eye strain for individuals who spend considerable time interacting with computer displays. Nearly all text editors incorporate syntax coloring, and a wide selection of color schemes are typically provided to users.

Despite the abundance of available schemes online, few stand out like Solarized. This scheme distinguishes itself through its comprehensive adaptability.

Solarized: A Universal Color Scheme

Solarized isn't designed for a single editor or software application. It offers support for Vim, Emacs, IntelliJ, and six other editors, alongside compatibility with four distinct terminal emulators. Furthermore, it extends to applications like Mutt, a console-based email client, and functions as a color palette for image editing software such as Photoshop and GIMP.

Ethan Schoonover, the creator of Solarized, approached color selection with a scientific methodology. He didn't simply choose colors based on personal preference.

The Science Behind the Scheme

Schoonover utilized the Lab color space to precisely determine the appropriate lightness variations between different screen elements. Colors were then chosen based on established relationships within the color wheel – employing analogous and Triad-based harmonies. The resulting scheme is not only visually pleasing but also demonstrably enhances readability.

Solarized is offered in both light and dark background variations. Consider the appearance of the light-background version:

Comparing Light and Dark Variations

Now, observe the dark variation of the same file:

The similarity between the two modes is striking. They present a cohesive visual experience, while maintaining excellent readability. Importantly, the perceived contrast between elements remains consistent regardless of the background chosen, due to symmetric lightness differences.

Minimalism and Readability

The scheme is remarkably minimalistic, utilizing only sixteen colors. This number can be further reduced to just five specific hues without significantly compromising readability.

Beyond the color selection itself, the presentation of Solarized is noteworthy.

Exceptional Documentation and Presentation

Unlike many color schemes that consist of a simple text file with minimal documentation, Solarized boasts a beautifully designed webpage. This webpage, itself colorized according to the scheme, provides a detailed explanation of the author’s reasoning and the advantages of the scheme.

The screenshots previously shown are sourced from this page, which also includes numerous examples of different file types displayed within Vim and other applications.

Personal Experience and Challenges

I have been utilizing Solarized for several weeks, primarily within Vim accessed through Putty. The installation process in this specific configuration proved somewhat complex. Configuring the scheme for both Putty and Vim was necessary.

Despite these efforts, the colors displayed on my screen differ slightly from those presented on the official Solarized website. However, I am satisfied with the resulting appearance, although it doesn't perfectly replicate the scheme’s ideal aesthetic:

This represents the primary challenge. Installation is straightforward when using a single application, such as GVim or a local text editor. However, achieving a seamless implementation with Putty and Vim requires more effort.

If anyone successfully replicates the exact Solarized appearance using Putty/Vim, I would be very interested in learning about your approach – perhaps you could share your insights in the comments!