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 Maps
of various kinds have some of the highest information densities of all the
documents used by our society. They also have one of the longest legacies
of evolved practice. Maps are thus an interesting source of applied knowledge
about successful color usage in complicated graphics.
Maps and charts
of several kinds are used widely in aerospace applications. Currently many
are being converted from paper prints to electronic display, which has different
capabilities and limitations than printed paper. This involves interesting
challenges for designers of the electronic versions--some of the charts
used in aviation (area charts, for example) have very high information densities
and symbology on shaded and colored backgrounds. In the electronic versions
of some of these maps some of the symbols and area graphics move over the
fixed terrain backgrounds. This makes successful management of the relative
colors of the symbols and backgrounds difficult.
Our laboratory is investigating color usage in paper and
electronic maps and charts to assure legibility and good direction of the
users' attention. |
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