Color group selection for computer interfaces

Paul Lyons; Giovanni Moretti; Mark Wilson

doi:10.1117/12.387167

2 June 2000 Color group selection for computer interfaces

Paul Lyons, Giovanni Moretti, Mark Wilson

Proceedings Volume 3959, Human Vision and Electronic Imaging V; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.387167
Event: Electronic Imaging, 2000, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

We describe a low-impact method for coloring interfaces harmoniously. The method uses a model that characterizes the overall image including the need for distinguishability between interface components. The degree of visual distinction between one component and other components, and its color strength (which increases with its importance and decreases with its size and longevity), are used in generating a rigid ball-and-stick 'color molecule,' which represents the color relationships between the interface components. The shape of the color molecule is chosen to conform to standard principles of color harmony (like colors harmonize, complementary colors harmonize, cycles in the color space harmonize, and so on). The color molecule's shape is fixed, but its position and orientation within the perceptually uniform color solid are not. The end user of the application chooses a new color scheme for the complete interface by repositioning the molecule within the color space. The molecule's shape and rigidity, and the space's perceptual uniformity, ensures the distinguishability and color harmony of the components are maintained. The system produces a selection of color schemes which often include subtle 'nameless' colors that people rarely choose using conventional color controls, but which blend smoothly into a harmonious color scheme. A new set of equally harmonious color schemes only requires repositioning the color molecule within the space.

Citation Download Citation

Paul Lyons, Giovanni Moretti, and Mark Wilson "Color group selection for computer interfaces", Proc. SPIE 3959, Human Vision and Electronic Imaging V, (2 June 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.387167

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