PaletteNest

Overview

PaletteNest is a web-based application that enables artists to generate color palettes in real-time using principles of color theory. It was built to remove the friction artists often face when selecting cohesive color combinations — offering both technical precision and visual context through live previews.


Inspiration

The idea stemmed from closely observing how much time and effort goes into the color selection process in artistic workflows. Choosing the right palette is essential to setting tone and mood, but it’s often overwhelming due to the subtle nuances between hues. I saw an opportunity to use code to make this process faster, more intuitive, and just as thoughtful.


Research & Development

To build PaletteNest, I started with a deep dive into color theory — exploring harmony rules, digital color models, and the emotional impact of hue relationships. I also analyzed how conventional palette tools work and found that most rely on static selections or fixed schemes.


From there, I designed an algorithm that generates palettes based on mathematical harmony rules, but with enough variability to feel organic. The frontend experience was created to be immediate and interactive — with live previews rendered in canvas, reflecting the palette in real-time.


Core Features

  • 1. Real-time generation of 2–4 color palettes across four scheme types: Monochromatic, Analogous, Complementary, and Balanced.

  • 2. A dynamic canvas artwork that updates instantly with each generated palette, helping artists see colors in visual context.

  • 3. HEX and RGB values provided for all palette colors.

  • 4. Designed in Figma and Adobe XD; implemented using React, Tailwind CSS, and deployed via Firebase.

Technical Stack

  • Frontend: React, Tailwind CSS, Vite
  • Rendering: HTML Canvas
  • Hosting: Firebase
  • Design Tools: Figma, Adobe XD

Outcome & Reception

Since its release, PaletteNest has been used by both emerging and established artists, and has been praised for helping speed up their workflow without compromising creative control. It is accompanied by a blog post that breaks down the research and principles behind the tool.


Reflection

This project challenged me to merge aesthetic thinking with algorithmic logic. It was my first time translating theoretical research into a usable tool, and it helped me grow both as a designer and engineer. I’m currently working on adding advanced customization options and deeper harmony controls.