Each UI component is programmed internally to use theme color slots as the default color for specific attributes (such as the foreground and background colors of the Text widget). The theme consists of a set of color slots (declared in themes.xml files) to which are assigned color values (declared in the colors.xml file). These default colors are defined by the project’s theme. All of these components appear using default colors unless we specifically override a color attribute either in the XML layout resource file or by writing code. We know, of course, that Android app user interfaces are created by assembling components such as layouts, text fields, and buttons. Dynamic color support provided by Material Design 3, for example, allows the colors used in apps to automatically adapt to complement the user’s wallpaper selection. Material Design 3 provides the basis for Material You, a feature introduced in Android 12 that allows an app to automatically adjust theme elements to compliment preferences configured by the user on the device. Material Design 2 vs Material Design 3īefore beginning, it is important to note that Google is currently transitioning from Material Design 2 to Material Design 3 and that projects created with Android Studio Chipmunk default to Material Design 2 unless you select the Basic Activity (Material3) template when creating a new project. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of how theming works within an Android Studio project and explore how the default design configurations provided for newly created projects can be modified to meet your branding requirements.

In addition to design guidelines, Material Design also includes a set of UI components for use when designing user interface layouts, many of which we have been using throughout this book. Material Design was developed by Google to provide a level of design consistency between different apps, while also allowing app developers to include their own branding in terms of color, typography, and shape choices (a concept referred to as Material theming). The appearance of an Android app is intended to conform to a set of guidelines defined by Material Design.

Change the app theme android studio