Owing to their solution-processing flexibility, band gap tunability and infrared responsivity, colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are favorable materials for building solar cells with tunable spectral profiles. Here, $w$ e design, optimize and fabricate multicolored and semitransparent CQD devices using thin-film interference and multiobjective optimization algorithms. We obtain a target color or transparency level by maximizing reflection or transmission over a relevant wavelength range while simultaneously maximizing device photocurrent. We fabricate color-tuned devices with photocurrents of 10–15 mA/cm 2 and semitransparent devices with ~ 30% visible transparency. Our optimization technique creates a foundation for the custom-design of spectrally selective optoelectronic devices.