Color blindness help
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
This is a common problem. The way I approach it is by using not only different colors but also different shapes; a red circle, a orange triangle and a green square, for example. Put them in a legend and it is obvious, even to a color blind person, what state is being represented.
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
Think inside the box! ProActive Secure Systems
I'm on-line therefore I am. JimmyRopes -
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
I can differentiate between green(#90EE90) and orange (#FFA500).
-
I am color blind and I can tell those colors apart, no problem.
Christian Graus Driven to the arms of OSX by Vista. Read my blog to find out how I've worked around bugs in Microsoft tools and frameworks.
Christian Graus wrote:
I am color blind and I can tell those colors apart, no problem.
...you seemed to have lost them before typing your last post.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
Since you have a bar, perhaps you can also add text within the bar: Normal when Green, Caution / Alert when Orange and Warning / Alarm when Red
Steve _________________ I C(++) therefore I am
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
See your color settings in grayscale mode and you will get the feel (the key is to change the contrast as well as colors ) :)
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
Having developed may interfaces where color queues have been a requirement and being colorblind of the "red-green" variety (8% of males have some colorblind issue) I always insist on other mechanisms to highlight the issue. For instance Red on Black will totally disappear for me so a font change or other graphic change is required. Being an engineer I know that “color” an unreliable data source so I typically ignore ANY color as an indicator of a state change.
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
What they do in traffic lights is to mix in a bit of blue with the green. Try that and you will keep the general feel of your design and will have achieved your goal. On the PITA issue: about 8% of men are colour blind - and not so many women. Does that comply with your perception of PITA distribution in the general population?
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
I've experienced a similar problem before. But the problem turned out to be... ... the monitor. Apparently, the Dell LCDs at the lab did a very poor job displaying some colors. The colors were OK at the development workstation, but were completely unnoticeable in the lab. At first I thought something was wrong with the application, and I almost attempted debugging it on the site. I only realized the monitors were to blame when I looked the screen by the side and noticed how bad the colors were being distorted. I am not saying you may have the same problem, but this was something I really wasn't expecting at the time... If the complaining user was in his own workstation during the beta testing, it may be worth to check if even you could actually see the colors at the user end. Cheers, César
Interested in Machine Learning in .NET? Check the Accord.NET Framework. See also Handwriting Recognition Revisited: Kernel Support Vector Machines
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
I am very Red/Green color blind (which also means telling blue from purple is really hard too), and can't distinguish the colors you just put up (green, orange, red). This is a very common problem for me in computer programs and I usually have to just grab another person to tell me what the colors are; but only if there is no other way to find the information I need. Honestly, we are such a minority that you really shouldn't worry about it too much. We have lived our entire lives coping, and your computer program won't bring us to our knees. That said, it is nice to have at least some attention brought to the topic. A couple things to consider: - The degree to which I can distinguish these colors varies from monitor to monitor. Even if you change it slightly to work on one of them, doesn't mean I'll be able to distinguish on the next. - The hardest time I have distinguishing these colors is when they are in their basic form (basic red, basic green, etc). If you change these up, like say Burnt Orange, Neon Green and Pink, I have no problem whatsoever (which leads to your concern of style/taste for the rest of you). All in all, my advice would be not to worry about it, especially since you said you have other indicators for the same information. Thank you for your consideration though!:thumbsup: "It's like the sixties, but with less hope."
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
I am "color blind" but its a bad name for the affliction because its not accurate description of the problem. It indicates that we see in gray scale or black and white or browns, or lots of other silly notions I've heard people say over the years. A more accurate description of what i see is a color insensitivity and trouble with contrasts. For example, and this is me... others have it worse or better than I, a red light on a bright sunny day is not noticeable. I see it as red but I don't notice it like others would. Its bad for driving so I've trained myself to consciously look for traffic lights and look for the color. Also, the color blindness tests where you see numbers inside colored dots is a good way to understand it: i don't see the numbers in the green shaded tests but i do OK with the red tests. the problem is with contrasts of colors melding together rather than standing out. Which brings us to exactly why using color codes for an alerter on a page is a bad idea. Many people will have trouble seeing the contrast between the colors, even those with mild cases will have trouble. I'd recommend that you abandon the color code system and instead use symbols or status codes. If you have a color blind operator, its only a matter of time before he misses a red alert.
jeffrey mergler
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
As this link from WebMD explains there are multiple types of color blindness so the most viable options are use a color neutral symbol to indicate the information or allow the user to select the colors themselves if that is a realistic option. Color Blindness Overview
-
Not a programming question, more a design question. I have an application that has an indicator that turns from green (#90EE90) to orange (#FFA500) to red (#FF0000) to indicate it's state (good, not ready, somethings horribly wrong, respectively). The color alone isn't the only indication, but it is probably the most obvious (and it's a solid block of color, not text). Of course, this color scheme looks great to me and seems logical and intuitive, but I've had some user do a beta test complaining that the colors are too subtle and not obvious enough. It occurred to me that they might have some form of color blindness that makes the colors hard to distinguish. So, I'm thinking of adding a feature to switch color schemes to something a bit more color blind friendly. However, since I'm not color blind, my question is what would work reasonably for a color blind user without looking too horribly garish to a person with normal color vision and being at least somewhat intuitive? I saw this website http://colorschemedesigner.com/[^] which seems really cool, but doesn't let me put in arbitrary colors in order to see how my color scheme looks. Any color blind readers out there who can help?
I can hardly distinguish the colors from red to green. (neon/LED only, and a specific mix of (oil colors) red and green... which to others it looks green but it looks red to me) My classmate's monitor has an LED to show it's state: Green for OK, Red for NO INPUT... It all looks yellow to me. >.> I suggest using blue for GOOD, red for ERROR and white or some gray for NOT READY. Probably some text on the indicator will do more good! And/Or just surround the indicator with a border of the exact opposite color. This will make the indicator's color easier to distinguish.