Display Color Use

There are many reasons why colors are used for visual displays. Some are practical, while others are aesthetic. In general, however, color displays have a number of advantages over monochrome displays. Color is pre-attentively processed and can be used to make a display element or elements standout or to group items.

Color coding can help us see patterns and distinguish one area from another. The human visual system is, in most instances, better able to distinguish different colors than shades of gray. In the example below, colors are assigned to different tissue densities. This enables neurosurgeons to better distinguish healthy tissue from tumors or lesions.

Finally, color displays are typically more interesting and more appealing to the eye than monochrome displays. When asked, most users will say they prefer a color display over a monochrome one. However, that does not mean that task performance is always improved with the addition of color. Color improperly used can lead to confusion and errors.

An excellent, detailed source on visual display design and visulization is Colin Ware's Information Visualization: Perception for Design, (2000) New York: Morgan Kaufman.