Color coding information: Assessing alternative coding systems using independent brightness and hue dimensions

Can independent dimensions of brightness and hue be used in a combined digi tal information code? This issue was addressed by developing 2 color-coding systems and testing them on informed and naive participants in signal beam detection and classification experiments for simulated sonar displays. Eac h coding system's results showed both groups efficiently used encoded infor mation that varied simultaneously along the 2 dimensions of brightness and hue. Findings support the proposed procedures for developing color informat ion codes and the validity of such information codes across different popul ations. Applied significance of these results is provided by the test of pr incipled methods of color-code construction and the demonstration that exte nding the information content of user interfaces beyond 1 dimension is feas ible in practice.