Channels, Fall 2017

Page 6 Conley • Color Theory in Technical Communication communication, when used properly, can aid users to view, decipher, understand, and experience many types of information systems in a meaningful manner, leading to effective usability (Puhalla 2008). White says, “Color must be used to make the information clear, lucid, powerful—faster” (p. 346). Texts Color’s relationship with text can significantly influence a document’s effectiveness (Keyes 1993; White 1991; Mackiewicz 2009). Each possesses different strengths and weaknesses, and technical communicators should use them as complementary tools (Keyes 1993). As a tool, color can enhance a text's’ legibility through contrasting the text with the background (Keys 1993; White 1991; Mackiewicz 2009). White (1991) details a technical communicator’s thought process in this area: Should the background be in color and the foreground in black, or should the background be in black and the foreground picked out in color? It depends on what you are trying to do. Everything always depends on what you are trying to do. (p. 349) Mackiewicz (2009) adds that technical communicators will most likely be concerned about the readability of their print and online documents and that they should pay close attention to the background and foreground of a document. Signaling cues Colors can also be used as signaling cues in documents (Puhalla 2008; Keyes 1993; Mackiewicz 2009; White 1991; Kostelnick and Roberts 2011). Puhalla (2008) writes, “Ordering color according to its three attributes can produce a visual hierarchy, assisting a person’s ability to assign a prescribed order of dominance and importance to information” (p. 201). As signaling cues, color can focus attention, group objects together, and create specific points of information (Keyes 1993). Its effectiveness, however, depends on the location, elements, differences in color cues, and what characteristics are used (Keyes 1993). Signaling cues can help readers understand the relationships in a document (Mackiewicz 2009). Hierarchal levels Not only can color enhance text and signaling cues, but it can also help users perceive hierarchy (Puhalla 2008; Mackiewicz 2009; Keyes 1993; White 1991). Puhalla (2008) writes, “Controlling the visual relationship of hue, value, and chroma contrast can significantly assist a person’s cognitive ability to assign importance and dominance to a controlled color structure” (p. 199). When structured objectively, color can create a visual hierarchy and understandable order (Puhalla 2008). Misuse of Colors Color offers new design opportunities for technical communicators. However, especially inexperienced and uninformed information designers can frequently use them ineffectively (White 1991; Keyes 1993; Vanka and Klein 1995; Madden et al. 2000). White warns technical communicators: