[will...]

Hi.

I'm currently in my A2 year at college (graphic design and photography if anybodies interested) and have applied for my art foundation course next year, with the idea being I apply to do a graphic design course at uni, etc.

Basically what I really want to know is how much with the fact that I am colourblind affect my chances in the industry and employment?

In terms of colourblindness it's blue/purple and green/brown that I can't really tell apart.

Thank for any help / information.

[fasterthanlight]

dont use any blue, purple, green and brown and you should be alright :P

it really depends on the work you put out though, if its as good as a designer with perfect colour-ness, then who cares right?

[will...]

ha. sounds like a plan.

I think my biggest worry is using colour libraries and annoying people by hassling them over if a colour is purple or blue, etc or am I just being a bit pedantic?

[pat]

yeah pedantic, do what you want to do and cross bridges when you come to them

[steveb]

You could ask knowledgeable customers to specify important colours with a Pantone swatch number. Then you can look up the CMYK value which corresponds (more or less) to the Pantone and you should be OK.

Pantone produces a swatch booklet with CMYK values included but I think it's included only as an extra in the ultra expensive Pantone swatch set, you can't get it separately.

[will...]

nothing to really worry about then it seems.

I suppose I could easily create a little reference for myself to do with colours. so that pantone 140 - 200 means a certain colour etc.

[jeffc]

I've worked with a colorblind designer and he does quite well - it didn't hold him back at all. You'll do fine.

[VamBoom]

Here's an interesting read, never even crossed my mind.

How to Design Web Accessible Pages for the ColorBlind : Web Design Resources Blog & Graphics Blog with Lists of Web Site Design Tools

I have a feeling I have had colorblind clients now...

[Hunch]

Originally Posted by will...

Basically what I really want to know is how much with the fact that I am colourblind affect my chances in the industry and employment

It's not something I like to make a big deal of, but I have a problem with color blindness (although anyone who has seen my work may claim that's obvious!) Occasionally I like to ask someone to check over a proof just to make sure that I'm not creating some hideous mess, but I've found generally that because everything is slightly 'off' for color blind people, nasty clashes for the regular-sighted are still nasty clashes for us.

I probably check CMYK/RGB values a little more than other people simply to make sure that my blues aren't straying into the purple zone or similar situations - you become quite adept at being able to fix a color by using numbers and you can sometimes fall back on color theory for reassurance - but that's all it is, I still do 99% of color selection by eye-judgement. I've very rarely found any major problems. The only issue I can remember was when a friendly printer got in touch with me to query the color I'd used on an advert for a bus company because it didn't seem to match their livery - and he was kind enough to adjust it at his end. Apart from that I've never found it to be an issue.

Unless you have a really severe deficiency, I'd hazard a guess that if you don't deliberately bring it up, no one will ever notice. I wouldn't even mention it in interviews.

[Herr Kurm]

Ive had extensive tests at the doctors for colour blindness and no sign of it and I still sometimes have the exact same thing with colours as you Hunch. Dont worry about it

[hawken]

Originally Posted by steveb

Pantone produces a swatch booklet with CMYK values included but I think it's included only as an extra in the ultra expensive Pantone swatch set, you can't get it separately.

nah it's the cheapest one they have, it's called Bridge.

[designmachine]

Hi Will, I'm in the same boat being colour blind with red/green - most of my work is for the web using hexadecimal colour codes, I found several colour charts online that proved to be useful!

[nini]

Basically what I really want to know is how much with the fact that I am colourblind affect my chances in the industry and employment?

No one has ever asked at an interview if I am colour blind or not.

[traxor]

I'm colour blind and it hasn't affected me just yet, just give yourself a specific style of websites to stick to and have a consultant for your choices of colours and you'll be fine, trust.

[will...]

thanks for the info. looks like as long as I just check values a bit more then I'll be fine. safe.

[oli]

Yeah, I wouldnt mention the fact at interview - I wouldn't hire a color-blind designer.
Once you're in, use color charts, ask colleagues etc.

[weldo]

i had to fill out a health related questionaire when i was taken on at my current job (i'd already been offered the job verbally, but not in writing) ... one question asked whether i was colourblind - yes or no.

i spoke to the recruitment agent about it and we decided that keeping my gob shut and ticking the wrong box was the way to go ...

i'm still here 2 years later ...

i just avoid using those 'borderline' colours that i find it hard to define.

shhh ...

don't tell Oli.