Spectrum by Eigenlogik: ColorSchemer Studio alternative?

ColorSchemer Studio has been discontinued. Fortunately, Spectrum (a great alternative to ColorSchemer Studio) is still available and was recently updated to add compatibility with macOS Sierra. The app hasn’t changed much (if at all) UI-wise since this review below was published, so it’s still as valid as ever (and I still love Spectrum!) – so enjoy your reading:)

As a professional WordPress and Shopify web designer, I often spend time creating beautiful, harmonious color schemes for my clients. Color is a highly emotional phenomena, and a very subjective one, which means that color schemes are always a time-consuming discipline, sometimes open for hefty discussions. Hence, every tool that can be an aid in the pursuit of the ideal, perfect color scheme, is truly welcomed by me, with coffee, cookies and cuddling. I therefore started researching color scheme tools on the Mac App Store. I decided to try two promising choices: The newcomer – Spectrum by Eigenlogik, and the old boy on the block – ColorSchemer Studio (now discontinued – see note above).

Here’s a comparison video: What are the differences between the two contenders?

Spectrum by Eigenlogik redefines color scheme design

Spectrum is a much more focused and elegantly executed app. One that I really enjoy using, which is always important in creative work / web design. Spectrum offers a simple interface, yet it has features that ColorSchemer Studio doesn’t have: Fullscreen mode, and creative, abstract visualizations of your color schemes. Abstract visualizations helps you focus on the feelings you get when evaluating your color scheme.

Spectrum is the color scheme creation app that doesn’t get in the way of my creative design process. It feels natural and uncumbersome, if that’s even a word?

ColorSchemer Studio – the old boy gets older

ColorSchemer Studio is a more versatile app, I’ll acknowledge that anytime, but that’s also what works against it, in a creative context. When I’m doing creative work / web design, I wanna focus on the creation and outcome as a focused, holistic process. I want the apps that I use to be as transparent as possible… to not get in my way. If an app disturbs me with its mere presence, it disrupts my flow.

To cut a long story short: I highly recommend Spectrum from Eigenlogik. It’s not just an AMAZING color scheme tool, after ColorSchemer Studio was discontinued, it’s a great alternative too! And it’s still just $19.99 on the Mac App Store.

Do you have any other color scheme creation tools that you’d like to recommend? Comment below!