Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 6.4
Concepts and Most Frequently
Associated Color for Two Populations: Hong
Kong Chinese and Americans
Chinese
Americans
Concept Color %
Color
%
Safe Green 62.2 Green 61.4
Cold White 71.5 Blue 96.1
Caution Yellow 44.8 Yellow 81.1
Go
Green 44.7 Green 99.2
On
Green 22.3 Red
50.4
Off
Black 53.5 Blue
31.5
Hot
Red
31.1 Red
94.5
Danger
Red
64.7 Red
89.8
Stop
Red
48.5 Red
100.0
among both populations. However, the percentage values for Americans were much
greater than for the Chinese. Courtney pointed out that the reason for the lower
percentage values among Chinese is that for them red is the symbol for happiness. The
strength of the happiness association detracts from the safety association.
A series of cross-cultural comparisons showed that the color preference for different
process control symbols differs among the Asian population (Liang et al., 2004). Color
coding on machines must then be designed to fit the target user population.
CODING BY SIZE
To distinguish easily between different controls, size can be one coding option. A fighter
pilot in combat is highly stressed, but can distinguish between three different sizes of
control knobs: small, medium, and large (Chapanis and Kinkade, 1972). Size coding can
of course be used in other environments as well.
CODING BY SHAPE
Controls can be coded by shape (Figure 6.7). In this case an operator can distinguish up
to 12 different shape-coded control knobs under conditions of stress (Woodson and
Conover, 1964). These controls have been standardized for aircraft design. The best
control design is when the control shape resembles the control function. In Figure 6.7 the
flap control resembles the flap and the landing gear resembles a wheel so that the
association is immediate. But for more abstract functions, such as the shape codes for
carburetor air and revolutions per minute (rpm), the mental association between control
function and control will take a much longer time to establish.
