Controlling the complexity of grouped items in colour interfaces

ABSTRACT

In this paper we describe a method of managing the complexity that arises when automatically colouring a realistic GUI interface. This complexity primarily comes from two sources, from the number of items to be coloured - which in interfaces of realistic complexity grows very quickly - and from the interactions between both the items' colours themselves and their background colour. Attempting to satisfy the relationships between the colours of items in an interface, their backgrounds, whether items may be coloured identically or must be distinct, and all the while creating a colour scheme that is harmonious requires multiple constraints be satisfied simultaneously. The addition of visually related groups of screen elements complicates this optimisation. The use of spring-based algorithms will allow groups to have their own local colour schemes (sub-schemes) while still satisfying the need for overall colour harmony.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.2 Design Tools and Techniques

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.6 Programming Environments

  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)

  J. Computer Applications
  J.6 COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Human Factors

Keywords:
colour groups, colour scheme, harmonious colour selection, user interface design