How to Use Pixar’s Color Script in UX Design

A framework for better UX Design using one trick from the minds of Pixar

What is a Pixar color script?

If you’ve ever wondered why Pixar movies evoke such strong emotions, a lot of it comes down to a tool called the color script. A color script is like a visual roadmap for a movie, outlining how light, color, and mood shift throughout each scene. It serves as a snapshot of the entire film, helping the production team visualize how different parts will look and feel in the context of the overall story. Essentially, it helps maintain emotional consistency and guides the progression of feelings throughout the movie, making sure that viewers feel the intended emotions at each significant moment.

Imagine a series of painted frames representing each key moment of a film — these frames make up the color script. Through these snapshots, filmmakers decide how every scene will look, considering factors like lighting, color palette, and mood. Each frame in the color script contributes to a bigger visual narrative, ensuring that everything from joyful, sunlit moments to darker, intense scenes ties together seamlessly. The entire visual language of the film is carefully planned out before the final animation work even begins.