Discriminating classes of sequential and qualitative colour schemes

Abstract

We present an analysis of the influence of colour distance on the user experience with choropleth and chorochromatic maps. We systematically evaluated five sequential and five qualitative colour schemes in a two-stage user experiment. At first, we conducted an online study to obtain performance metrics accuracy and response time from a large, heterogeneous population. Following this, in a controlled lab study with eye-tracking, we re-examined the findings from the online study for a subset of experimental stimuli and further assessed the user experience through an analysis of their visual behaviour. In this process, along with accuracy and response time, eye-tracking metrics fixation frequency, fixation duration and scanpath speed as well as a gaze transition analysis were utilized. In both experiments, participants were asked to compare two areas with controlled colour distances between them, and decide whether these areas were of the same colour. Results suggest that we are able to discriminate narrower colour distances than commonly used in practice, however, not as narrow as suggested in previous literature. Abstract. We present an analysis of the influence of colour distance on the user experience with choropleth maps. We systematically evaluated 5 sequential and 5 qualitative colour schemes in a two-stage user experiment. At first, we conducted an online study to obtain performance metrics accuracy and response time on a large variety of heterogeneous population. Following this, in a controlled lab study with eye-tracking, we re-examined the findings from the online study for a subset of experimental stimuli and further assessed the user experience through an analysis of their visual behaviour. In this process, along with accuracy and response time, eye tracking metrics fixation frequency, fixation duration and scanpath speed as well as a gaze transition analysis were utilized. In both experiments, participants were asked to compare two areas with controlled colour distances between them, and decide whether these areas are of the same colour. Results suggest that we are able to discriminate narrower colour distances than commonly used in practice, however, not as narrow as suggested in previous literature.

Geospatial Information Visualization and Extended Reality Displays

“…This is because color is (very) often used to encode important information and color deficiency is relatively common, with up to eight percent of the world's population experiencing some degree of impairment (e.g., Brychtová and Çöltekin 2017a). Because it is one of the more dominant visual variables (Garlandini and Fabrikant 2009), cartography and geovisualization research has contributed to color research for many decades (Brewer 1994;Brychtová and Çöltekin 2015;Christophe 2011;Harrower and Brewer 2003). Two of the most popular color-related applications in use by software designers were developed by cartography/geovisualization researchers: ColorBrewer (Harrower and Brewer 2003) for designing/selecting color palettes and ColorOracle (Jenny and Kelso 2007) for simulating color blindness.…”

Effectiveness of Classification Method and Color Symbol Scheme on Choropleth Map of Population Density in Special Region of Yogyakarta

“…However, in this research the color symbol scheme that will be analyzed is According to the research done by Brychtova and Coltekin (2015), Eye Tracking method is the method to find out the quickness of map user in differentiating colors where in this research, aspects used are the duration in reading the symbols, duration in answering the questions on the questionnaire and the accuracy of the reader's answers.…”

Age group influence for effectiveness study of color symbol scheme on choropleth map of population density in special region of Yogyakarta

“…Based on to the research done by Brychtova and Coltekin (2015) [7] , Eye Tracking method is trying to find out the quickness of map user in differentiating or identifying population density class' color symbol scheme on choropleth map. Important aspects used in this study are average duration of answering, the accuracy of the answer and the easiness level of symbolyzation readings.…”