| The Effect of Color Combination on Visual Attention and Usability of Multiple Line Graphs |

|
Gia Kim, Siu Man Lui School of Business (IT), James Cook University gia.kim@my.jcu.edu.au, School of Business (IT), James Cook University carrie.lui@jcu.edu.au, doi: 10.4156/jcis.vol1. issue1.2
|
Abstract
Multiple line graphs that represent a large amount of everyday data are commonly used in business
and in the finance industry. Color has become a useful addition to such complicated graphs to allow
graph-readers to obtain relevant information quickly and easily. Although previous color research
revealed that color contrast attracts human attention, the use of multiple color combinations for
drawing attention has not been clearly evident in a graph reading context. This study examines the
effect of three color combinations on the user’s perceived attentiveness level and usability of using a
three-line graph. This research aims (1) to theoretically contribute color science domain with a graph
comprehension aspect, (2) to design a quantitative experiment by measuring objective usability and
subjective affective state, and (3) to understand the moderating effects of task types on reading of a
pop-out line graph.
|
Keyword
Color Combination, Attention, Luminance
|