What is the purpose of a color swatch in design?

The purpose of a color swatch in design is to select and manage colors for a project. Color swatches provide designers with a reference point for the colors they intend to use in their designs, ensuring consistency and cohesion throughout the work. By organizing colors into swatches, designers can easily experiment with different color combinations, make informed decisions on color usage, and maintain a unified color palette across various elements of a design.

Color swatches are particularly useful in ensuring that colors look the same when printed as they do on screen, which is crucial for accuracy and brand representation. This tool helps in preparing files for print or digital media, as it allows designers to communicate color choices more effectively with clients, printers, and other stakeholders involved in the project.