Arbitrary color usage in interface design and impact on intuitive use

Abstract

As the usage of computer systems is on the rise and role of user interfaces in usage space cannot be undermined, there has been tremendous research into interaction design schemes and interface design methodologies. However, research that directly addresses visual design approaches, which is the interplay between User Interface (UI) elements and the basic principles of design, is scarce. This particular investigation engaged participants (N=24) in an interactions scheme where color and labels of common fruit and vegetables are randomly altered. The aim is to ascertain if the arbitrary color attribution within the interaction scheme affects accuracy of outcome and/or interaction speed. Subjecting outcome various statistical analysis reveals interesting principle that broadly recapitulate all design decision in organizing elements. This study is an excerpt from a bigger instructional design process to develop a minimalist conceptual framework to support user interface design and evaluation.