Graphics with scientific data become clearer when the colours are chosen carefully. It is convenient to have good default schemes ready for each type of data, with colours that are:

distinct for all people, including colour-blind readers;
distinct from black and white;
distinct on screen and paper;
matching well together.

This site shows such schemes, developed with the help of mathematical descriptions of colour differences and the two main types of colour-blind vision.

Web tool for guidance in choosing choropleth map color schemes, based on the research of Dr. Cynthia Brewer. Built and maintained by Axis Maps.