The exemplary embodiments may provide a software tool that enables a software designer to derive a color from a reference color. The software designer may specify changes in color characteristics that are to be applied to the reference color to derive the desired color. The user interface may be provided to allow the software designer to enter information regarding the reference color and the desired changes in color characteristics. The user interface may display the reference color and that resulting desired color so that the software designer may get a visual appreciation for the difference in the colors. The software tool of the exemplary embodiments may also include a color palette generator. The color palette generator may generate a palette of colors from a reference color.