Colour of the Year 2026 - Transformative Teal in the IT world
Every year, new trends emerge in design, architecture and marketing that set the course for the next few seasons. After a season with an emphasis on bold and energetic tones, WGSN, in collaboration with Coloro, has come up with the 2026 colour of the year, "Transformative Teal" - a sophisticated shade between blue and green that combines a calming, natural yet technological character. Similar trends are not only manifesting themselves in interiors or in the graphic design of print materials, but increasingly in digital products as well. Read on to learn how thoughtful colour work can boost the usability, credibility and business performance of your digital product.
Colour trends may at first glance seem like a purely aesthetic matter. However, a closer look reveals that colour in the digital environment significantly affects brand perception, content readability and overall user experience. Shades such as Transformative Teal are becoming increasingly common in the IT sector: they combine an association with technology and the digital environment (blue) with an emphasis on sustainability and the human factor (green). In the context of websites and applications, it is a palette that looks modern and clear. At the same time, the aim is not to blindly follow fashion waves. The design of digital products must be based on the long-term brand strategy, the typology of target users, accessibility and the practical constraints that different types of displays and environments entail.
Railsformers encounters a range of requirements in its projects - from complete redesigns of corporate websites to the design of complex internal applications, where visual identity is closely linked to performance and ergonomics of work. We therefore see colour, whether it be Transformative Teal or any other accent, as a tool first and foremost. During the analysis phase, we first look at what situations will be addressed in the system, who the typical users are and what their needs are. Only on this basis do we design a color scheme that supports orientation in the interface and minimizes the risk of errors. Strong contrasts are key for buttons and elements requiring action, while neutral tones are used for large areas to avoid visual overload.
Transformative Teal is well suited to, for example, technology companies or B2B platforms where a combination of credibility and innovative appeal is important.
Accessibility is also an important aspect when working with modern colour palettes. Trending colors are often presented in ideal visualizations that do not account for different types of visual limitations, lighting conditions or display quality. Therefore, at Railsformers we always examine contrast ratios, the behavior of colors in "dark mode" as well as their combinability within more complex components. In web and mobile applications, it is essential that key elements are recognisable not only by colour, but also by shape and text indication. The colour trend can thus be an inspiration, but not the only tool for orientation. This increases the reliability and usability of the system for a wider group of users.
Flexibility is another key requirement. Corporate identity can evolve over the years, with new communication channels and interfaces emerging, such as mobile apps, customer portals or dedicated internal tools. Therefore, when designing a design system, we work with a clearly defined set of colours that allows for future expansion. A Transformative Teal or similar accent can be included as part of a broader scaling, where the exact shades used for primary actions, secondary elements, alerts or informational messages are described. This makes new parts of the system easy to develop without the risk of visual fragmentation, allowing clients to plan IT development with greater certainty and less cost for subsequent customizations.
At the same time, it cannot be forgotten that colour also has an important psychological and marketing dimension. Customers today evaluate companies based on the overall consistency of communication - from the web to emails to internal client areas. If the visual language can be aligned across these channels, it reinforces the perception of brand stability and professionalism. Modern shades such as Transformative Teal can play an important role in repositioning a company towards innovation, digitalisation and greater openness to technology. Railsformers always takes this layer into account when designing solutions, linking the technical implementation with the visual and content framework so that the result is not only technically functional, but also communicates the right values.
For companies considering a website redesign or new application development, several practical recommendations follow. The colour trends can serve as a good impetus to review how their digital products are impacting users, whether they are meeting current expectations and whether they are hindering further development. It is advisable to think in the longer term, not to succumb to short-term trends, and to look for a colour scheme that supports business objectives, makes users' jobs easier and allows for easy expansion of the system with additional functionality. It is therefore advisable to work with a partner that combines experience in UX/UI design, development and subsequent long-term management of the solution.
The colour of 2026 in the form of Transformative Teal is an interesting symbol of the current shift in the digital world. It combines technology with an emphasis on the human factor and stability, values that are reflected in the way companies approach IT today. Railsformers' projects focus on reliable, flexible and innovative implementations that combine visuals with functionality and long-term sustainability. If you're considering a website redesign, a customer portal upgrade, or the design of an entirely new app, the current shift in color trends may be a good time to take a broader look at your digital project. We'd be happy to walk through your options with you, suggesting specific steps. For more information or inspiration on next steps, we recommend following our blog or contacting us with specific requirements.