In the age of AI, algorithms, and hyper-targeted visuals, it’s easy to forget that some of the most powerful decisions in tech were driven not by trends, but by human limitations.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, is red-green colour-blind. This quiet, often overlooked fact didn’t just shape his personal experience of the world—it helped define the visual identity of one of the most influential tech platforms ever built.

Why Facebook Is Blue

In 2004, as a college student crafting what would become Facebook, Zuckerberg faced an unexpected design decision: what colour should the platform be?

Instead of hiring branding experts or running expensive A/B tests, he made a simple choice—one rooted in biology. Zuckerberg has deuteranopia, a form of red-green colour blindness. For him, blue stands out most vividly.

“Blue is the richest color for me—I can see all of blue,” he told The New Yorker in 2010.

Blue was not just easier for Zuckerberg to see—it became a foundational design principle. From Facebook’s logo to its interface, the calming, solid presence of blue was everywhere. What began as a limitation soon became a visual signature, unconsciously communicating trust, stability, and clarity.

Ironically, the decision born of necessity gave Facebook a psychological advantage. Colour psychology research has shown that blue evokes feelings of reliability, calm, and security—qualities that are crucial for a platform asking you to share your private life online.

A 2023 report by the Color Psychology Institute found that 57% of Fortune 500 brands use blue in their logos—including LinkedIn, Ford, and IBM—especially in industries where trust is paramount. Zuckerberg’s colour-blindness accidentally aligned his brand with a palette of power.

Vision Beyond Sight: How Limitations Shaped Genius

Zuckerberg’s case isn’t unique. Around 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women worldwide live with some form of colour blindness, and among them are some of the world’s most creative and impactful minds.

• Christopher Nolan, acclaimed director of Inception and Interstellar, has red-green colour blindness. His signature cinematic style—dominated by contrast, shadows, and muted tones—may be informed by how he perceives the world.

• Markus "Notch" Persson, the developer behind Minecraft, also has colour blindness. The game’s minimalistic, high-contrast design has made it one of the most accessible and visually distinct games ever created.

• Prince William, heir to the British throne, discovered his red-green colour blindness during military training when he failed to recognize certain camouflage colours.

What links these individuals isn’t just a visual impairment—it’s the ability to turn a sensory limitation into a strength. By embracing their unique perception, they’ve challenged industry norms and reshaped expectations.

Africa’s Hidden Challenge: The Untold Story of Colour Blindness

Despite its global prevalence, colour blindness remains underdiagnosed and poorly understood in many parts of Africa. In Nigeria alone, over 1.5 million people are estimated to live with some form of colour vision deficiency.

A 2023 study by Lagos State University revealed that 2.5% of students tested had colour blindness—yet fewer than 10% of teachers surveyed could recognize its symptoms. As a result, many students are mislabelled as slow learners or inattentive when, in reality, they simply can’t tell red from green on the classroom board.

The consequences don’t stop at school. Colour-coded materials, maps, graphs, and digital interfaces become frustrating barriers. And because few are diagnosed early, many only discover their condition in adulthood—sometimes after years of career struggles.

In Africa, where access to regular eye care is limited and inclusive education still developing, colour blindness represents an invisible but impactful form of exclusion.

Designing for Everyone: Embracing Colour Kindness in Tech

Mark Zuckerberg didn’t intend to build a platform for accessibility—but his decision inadvertently did just that. His story teaches a crucial design philosophy: "colour kindness"—the idea of creating with empathy and inclusion at the forefront.

Globally, accessibility in tech is gaining momentum. Tools like Color Oracle and Coblis help designers simulate what users with different colour vision deficiencies see. Tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Meta now prioritize contrast testing and inclusive interfaces.

Yet in Africa, awareness of accessible design remains low. Most digital platforms and media content still assume full colour vision. Few tech hubs or design institutions incorporate accessibility into their curriculums.

For inclusive tech ecosystems to thrive in Africa, several steps are essential:

• Early Screening: Make colour vision tests part of routine school check-ups.

• Teacher Training: Equip educucators to spot and support affected students.

• Public Awareness: Use media and campaigns to destigmatize colour blindness.

• Inclusive Design: Train designers to build with contrast, not just colour, in mind.

Legacy in Blue: What Zuckerberg’s Story Teaches Us

Mark Zuckerberg didn’t set out to champion inclusive design—he just wanted to build a website. But in choosing a colour he could see, he unwittingly made a platform that felt trustworthy to millions.

That’s the magic of turning limits into legacy.

The next time you open Facebook and are greeted by that deep ocean of blue, remember: it wasn’t chosen by trend analysts. It was chosen by a 19-year-old with a vision—just not the one most people have.

And maybe, in a world obsessed with perfect vision, it’s the people who see differently that help us connect more deeply.