A Perceptual Method to Assess Color in Interfaces

This paper presents a method, which applies a Spatial Color Algorithm (SCA) on an interface to assess its colors and contrast. SCAs belong to a family of algorithms, which aim to enhance images mimicking some behaviors of the human visual system. These features are obtained through global and local filtering, recalculating the value of each pixel according to the other pixels in the image. The output of the SCA suggests changes in the visual composition of the interface colors and contrast that can reveal flaws in the visibility of the interface components. This method can be used as a support in the interface design phase, providing suggestions for the color palette to use, or changes in lightness and contrast configuration, maximizing the interface visual information readability and pleasantness. These algorithms are almost automatic, requiring only to adjust a few parameters, being therefore easy to be employed by not-expert users. In this paper, we present the method, as well as the results, of a test involving human participants, showing the effectiveness of this approach. Specifically, we are presenting an extension of a recently published work, where new algorithms have been tested on a set of interfaces.