The Physics of Light
If “Surfaces” are the atoms of the system, Anchors are the laws of physics that govern them.
The Axiomatic Color doesn’t store a list of colors for every surface. Instead, it calculates them dynamically based on a set of boundary conditions.
The Dynamic Range
Section titled “The Dynamic Range”Imagine a vertical axis representing Lightness, from 0% (Absolute Black) to 100% (Absolute White). Every theme is defined by a Dynamic Range on this axis.
Anchors: The Boundary Conditions
Section titled “Anchors: The Boundary Conditions”An Anchor is a fixed point on this scale. It tells the solver: “This is where the world begins, and this is where it ends.”
The “Rubber Band” Effect
Section titled “The “Rubber Band” Effect”The most powerful aspect of this physics model is that surfaces are relative, not absolute.
If you decide your Dark Mode is too dark, you don’t have to manually adjust every single card, sidebar, and button. You simply move the Start Anchor.
Imagine all your surfaces are attached to a rubber band stretched between the Start and End anchors.
- Move the Start Anchor up: The entire rubber band compresses. Every surface gets lighter, but they maintain their relative order and separation.
- Move the End Anchor down: The range compresses. Surfaces get closer together in lightness.
Why is this better?
Section titled “Why is this better?”In a traditional system (Hex codes), changing the background color breaks everything.
- “I made the background darker, now the cards are invisible.”
- “I made the background lighter, now the text contrast is failing.”
In the Axiomatic System, the solver re-runs the physics simulation every time you change an anchor. It guarantees that:
- Surfaces stay visible against the background.
- Text stays readable against the surfaces (by adjusting text colors if needed).
Contrast Distribution
Section titled “Contrast Distribution”The system doesn’t just place surfaces linearly (e.g., 10%, 20%, 30%). It distributes them based on Perceptual Contrast.
The human eye is more sensitive to changes in dark colors than light colors. A 5% change in lightness is very noticeable in dark mode, but barely visible in light mode.
The solver accounts for this. It ensures that the visual step from Page to Card looks the same in Dark Mode as it does in Light Mode, even if the actual math values are different.