The effect of color combination on visual attention and usability of multiple line graphs

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.