Re: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
Hi all, I would just like to thank all those who have shared their experiences. There has been some very interesting feedback that has been mentioned and we are hoping to conduct a few tests and see how users feel with the colour scheme. I've used the colour contrast analyser before, and it does help a lot (although it does say and red and white are acceptable - but that's where automated tools can sometimes cause false positives). Thanks! Regards, Linda On Tue, May 6, 2008 at 12:08 AM, Likely, James A. [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Linda, You mentioned that you need research to back up some decisions. How about taking the mock-ups that you have done already and just go to a coffee shop. Just ask some one to take a look at the site and give them 5-10 seconds. See what there first thoughts are for the site and what did they see. We have used this in the past and seemed to be pretty effective. James From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of ROBEY,Jane Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 11:39 PM To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: RE: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability Well, apart from what has already been said, I have a personal experience of being on the receiving end of a Red brand. I bank with HSBC, who in Australia have Red and Grey as their brand colours. Every month I get a statement in Red print and every month I think I am in debt or they are writing to warn me about something that is overdue. Except this month. I have changed bank. Regards Jane *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
Re: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
On 5/6/08, Linda Simpson [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi all, I would just like to thank all those who have shared their experiences. There has been some very interesting feedback that has been mentioned and we are hoping to conduct a few tests and see how users feel with the colour scheme. I've used the colour contrast analyser before, and it does help a lot (although it does say and red and white are acceptable - but that's where automated tools can sometimes cause false positives). One more thing to consider: a fairly significant portion of the world's population cannot easily distinguish red from black in a run of text, meaning that links ought not to be only reddened but marked in some other manner. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protanomaly#Prevalence (Tip of the hat to Dean Allen http://textism.com/2008/05/04/on.not.seeing.red) *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
Re: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
There are two people I know of in my company (over 100,000 people) who can see the color red fine in the real world, but cannot read red text , typically error messages, on a computer screen. They did not know they had a problem until they called a help desk to find out why they were having a problem completing a form. Turns out they received errors but could not read them. The area where the error messages appeared looked like smudges to them, not text. I have not read anything that describes this problem, yet they clearly could not see the text well enough to read it. My recommendation to developers is to show error messages as black text on a white background with a bold red box around the error message. On 5/4/08 10:01 PM, Ben Buchanan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hiya, What we need more information about is how the colour red can affect readability. I have done research, and I know about the w3c colour contrast algorithm. I've also had a look at the psychology of the different colours and that red is associated with anger and intensity. I used to work on a site that had a red/white/black corporate look and I can sympathise :) I suspect that actually you know all the reasons why not to use red in certain ways, but you're being outvoted by a client. I'd keep fighting for certain basics - your colours must at least comply with the W3C contrast rules (if you're not already using it, grab the CCA to make that easier - http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrast-analyser.html). I'm sure there is research out there for everything else; but you could try a different tack and run some usability tests with real live users. Get ten people to test drive your designs and see if anyone finds the colours confronting. There's no research as relevant as your own :) Anecdotally, a key thing to avoid is primary red #f00 - it's just too bright. Also especially avoid using red on white (or reverse) for blocks of text, people often describe the result as it vibrates and that's prime territory for headaches; particularly for anyone who's photosensitive. cheers, Ben *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
Re: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
Every month I get a statement in Red print and every month I think I am in debt or they are writing to warn me about something that is overdue. Except this month. I have changed bank. I was sat here on a bank holiday bored out my scull till I read that..ahahahaha Good on ya about changing ya bank Jane. Kate http://jungaling.com/katesplace/ http://jungaling.com/Malaysia/ - Original Message - From: ROBEY,Jane To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 5:38 AM Subject: RE: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability Well, apart from what has already been said, I have a personal experience of being on the receiving end of a Red brand. I bank with HSBC, who in Australia have Red and Grey as their brand colours. Every month I get a statement in Red print and every month I think I am in debt or they are writing to warn me about something that is overdue. Except this month. I have changed bank. Regards Jane -- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Linda Simpson Sent: Monday, 5 May 2008 12:46 To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability Hi, We've been asked to change our colour scheme on our websites to fit into our corporate colour scheme. We currently use blue, and the colour we've been asked to change to is now red. Our site will be using a solid background, with white for the content area (along the lines of news.com.au). Our concern is that such a large amount of red may cause accessibility/ usability issues (we are not only talking about the background colour but also the navigation). We may possibly have some say into the shading of the red, but for the moment think of a nice bright colour (#A80D35). What we need more information about is how the colour red can affect readability. I have done research, and I know about the w3c colour contrast algorithm. I've also had a look at the psychology of the different colours and that red is associated with anger and intensity. What I am wanting to know, does anyone have any failure/ success stories of using a large amount of red on a site without it adversely affecting users. We also wanted to know if there was a particular range that might cause headaches in some users. I would also be interested to know of any research into what borders on acceptable luminosity. For example, I know in a couple of mockups that we have done, the red has been very glary, and makes focusing on the content quite difficult. Unfortunately, this being a personal opinion, we need the research to back it up with. Any help that you can give will be appreciated. Regards, Linda *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***Notice: The information contained in this email message and any attached files may be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use, disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this email in error, please notify the DEEWR Service Desk and delete all copies of this transmission together with any attachments. *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.8/1413 - Release Date: 03/05/2008 11:22 *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
RE: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
Linda, You mentioned that you need research to back up some decisions. How about taking the mock-ups that you have done already and just go to a coffee shop. Just ask some one to take a look at the site and give them 5-10 seconds. See what there first thoughts are for the site and what did they see. We have used this in the past and seemed to be pretty effective. James From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of ROBEY,Jane Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 11:39 PM To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: RE: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability Well, apart from what has already been said, I have a personal experience of being on the receiving end of a Red brand. I bank with HSBC, who in Australia have Red and Grey as their brand colours. Every month I get a statement in Red print and every month I think I am in debt or they are writing to warn me about something that is overdue. Except this month. I have changed bank. Regards Jane From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Linda Simpson Sent: Monday, 5 May 2008 12:46 To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability Hi, We've been asked to change our colour scheme on our websites to fit into our corporate colour scheme. We currently use blue, and the colour we've been asked to change to is now red. Our site will be using a solid background, with white for the content area (along the lines of news.com.au). Our concern is that such a large amount of red may cause accessibility/ usability issues (we are not only talking about the background colour but also the navigation). We may possibly have some say into the shading of the red, but for the moment think of a nice bright colour (#A80D35). What we need more information about is how the colour red can affect readability. I have done research, and I know about the w3c colour contrast algorithm. I've also had a look at the psychology of the different colours and that red is associated with anger and intensity. What I am wanting to know, does anyone have any failure/ success stories of using a large amount of red on a site without it adversely affecting users. We also wanted to know if there was a particular range that might cause headaches in some users. I would also be interested to know of any research into what borders on acceptable luminosity. For example, I know in a couple of mockups that we have done, the red has been very glary, and makes focusing on the content quite difficult. Unfortunately, this being a personal opinion, we need the research to back it up with. Any help that you can give will be appreciated. Regards, Linda *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***Notic e: The information contained in this email message and any attached files may be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use, disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this email in error, please notify the DEEWR Service Desk and delete all copies of this transmission together with any attachments. *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
Re: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
On May 5, 2008, at 8:58 AM, McLaughlin, Gail wrote: There are two people I know of in my company (over 100,000 people) who can see the color red fine in the real world, but cannot read red text , typically error messages, on a computer screen. They did not know they had a problem until they called a help desk to find out why they were having a problem completing a form. Turns out they received errors but could not read them. The area where the error messages appeared looked like smudges to them, not text. I have not read anything that describes this problem, yet they clearly could not see the text well enough to read it. My recommendation to developers is to show error messages as black text on a white background with a bold red box around the error message. Who would ever have thought? That's really good to know - I've already started changing all my .error classes. Reviewing the changed pages, they seem easier to read/understand to me - another case of improving accessibility for a small set of users becoming an improvement for all. Thanks! Andrew *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
Re: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
There are two people I know of in my company (over 100,000 people) who can see the color red fine in the real world, but cannot read red text , typically error messages, on a computer screen. They did not know they had a problem until they called a help desk to find out why they were having a problem completing a form. Turns out they received errors but could not read them. The area where the error messages appeared looked like smudges to them, not text. I have not read anything that describes this problem, yet they clearly could not see the text well enough to read it. My recommendation to developers is to show error messages as black text on a white background with a bold red box around the error message. On 5/4/08 10:01 PM, Ben Buchanan [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hiya, What we need more information about is how the colour red can affect readability. I have done research, and I know about the w3c colour contrast algorithm. I've also had a look at the psychology of the different colours and that red is associated with anger and intensity. I used to work on a site that had a red/white/black corporate look and I can sympathise :) I suspect that actually you know all the reasons why not to use red in certain ways, but you're being outvoted by a client. I'd keep fighting for certain basics - your colours must at least comply with the W3C contrast rules (if you're not already using it, grab the CCA to make that easier - http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrast-analyser.html). I'm sure there is research out there for everything else; but you could try a different tack and run some usability tests with real live users. Get ten people to test drive your designs and see if anyone finds the colours confronting. There's no research as relevant as your own :) Anecdotally, a key thing to avoid is primary red #f00 - it's just too bright. Also especially avoid using red on white (or reverse) for blocks of text, people often describe the result as it vibrates and that's prime territory for headaches; particularly for anyone who's photosensitive. cheers, Ben *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
Re: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
Hiya, What we need more information about is how the colour red can affect readability. I have done research, and I know about the w3c colour contrast algorithm. I've also had a look at the psychology of the different colours and that red is associated with anger and intensity. I used to work on a site that had a red/white/black corporate look and I can sympathise :) I suspect that actually you know all the reasons why not to use red in certain ways, but you're being outvoted by a client. I'd keep fighting for certain basics - your colours must at least comply with the W3C contrast rules (if you're not already using it, grab the CCA to make that easier - http://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrast-analyser.html). I'm sure there is research out there for everything else; but you could try a different tack and run some usability tests with real live users. Get ten people to test drive your designs and see if anyone finds the colours confronting. There's no research as relevant as your own :) Anecdotally, a key thing to avoid is primary red #f00 - it's just too bright. Also especially avoid using red on white (or reverse) for blocks of text, people often describe the result as it vibrates and that's prime territory for headaches; particularly for anyone who's photosensitive. cheers, Ben -- --- http://weblog.200ok.com.au/ --- The future has arrived; it's just not --- evenly distributed. - William Gibson *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
RE: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability
Well, apart from what has already been said, I have a personal experience of being on the receiving end of a Red brand. I bank with HSBC, who in Australia have Red and Grey as their brand colours. Every month I get a statement in Red print and every month I think I am in debt or they are writing to warn me about something that is overdue. Except this month. I have changed bank. Regards Jane From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Linda Simpson Sent: Monday, 5 May 2008 12:46 To: wsg@webstandardsgroup.org Subject: [WSG] Colour accessibility/ usability Hi, We've been asked to change our colour scheme on our websites to fit into our corporate colour scheme. We currently use blue, and the colour we've been asked to change to is now red. Our site will be using a solid background, with white for the content area (along the lines of news.com.au). Our concern is that such a large amount of red may cause accessibility/ usability issues (we are not only talking about the background colour but also the navigation). We may possibly have some say into the shading of the red, but for the moment think of a nice bright colour (#A80D35). What we need more information about is how the colour red can affect readability. I have done research, and I know about the w3c colour contrast algorithm. I've also had a look at the psychology of the different colours and that red is associated with anger and intensity. What I am wanting to know, does anyone have any failure/ success stories of using a large amount of red on a site without it adversely affecting users. We also wanted to know if there was a particular range that might cause headaches in some users. I would also be interested to know of any research into what borders on acceptable luminosity. For example, I know in a couple of mockups that we have done, the red has been very glary, and makes focusing on the content quite difficult. Unfortunately, this being a personal opinion, we need the research to back it up with. Any help that you can give will be appreciated. Regards, Linda *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** Notice: The information contained in this email message and any attached files may be confidential information, and may also be the subject of legal professional privilege. If you are not the intended recipient any use, disclosure or copying of this email is unauthorised. If you received this email in error, please notify the DEEWR Service Desk and delete all copies of this transmission together with any attachments. *** List Guidelines: http://webstandardsgroup.org/mail/guidelines.cfm Unsubscribe: http://webstandardsgroup.org/join/unsubscribe.cfm Help: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ***
