A Qualitative Study of Design Students’ Color Tool Use

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background Previous studies have suggested that the use of tools in design improves the efficiency of the design process and the quality of the design outcomes. In light of these trends, a variety of color tools were introduced and developed for design experts. However, little attention has been paid to students’ perceptions and needs in relation to color tools. A lack of understanding of user needs for color tools could result in weak attempts to deliver useful data to users.


Methods This study presents the results of an in-depth inquiry into students’ use of color tools in design work. A qualitative and exploratory study was conducted by means of 10 semi-structured interviews with first-year and senior students.


Results The findings of this study included four themes: (a) students’ views on color in design, (b) students’ color-decision process, (c) students’ dissatisfactions and requirements with current color tools, and (d) types of useful color data considered by students. Students showed a consensus view on the significance of color in design to deliver target messages and to enhance their design stand out in the market. Most of the students’ color-decision processes included four stages: concept development, color data gathering, exploration, and color choice. However, two out of the 10 students reported different color-decision processes. The students delayed their color decision at the final design stage because they felt anxious and a lack of confidence about their color choice. With regard to satisfaction with the current color tools available, students reported that most tools needed improvement. Students identified three types of color data (color meaning, color trend, and color printing) as important in their design process. Preferred tool types and various ideas for color tools were also suggested.


Conclusions There is a gap between what students need from color tools and what the existing color tools provide. The findings indicate that available color tools may not be suitable for educational purposes.

참고문헌 (Reference)

1 Braun, V., "Using thematic analysis in psychology" 3 (3): 77-101, 2006

2 Truffer, B., "User-led Innovation Processes : The Development of Professional Car Sharing by Environmentally Concerned Citizens" 16 (16): 139-154, 2003

3 Wästberg, B. S., "User Evaluation of a Virtual Colour Laboratory as a Tool for Demonstrating Colour Appearance" 41 (41): 611-625, 2016

4 Yu, L., "The role of individual colour preferences in consumer purchase decisions" 43 (43): 258-267, 2018

5 Leeuwen, T. V., "The language of Colour : An Introduction" Routledge 2011

6 Takahashi, F., "The association between colors and emotions for emotional words and facial expressions" 43 (43): 247-257, 2018

7 Todd, P., "The Use of Information in Decision Making : An Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Computer-Based Decision Aids" 16 (16): 373-393, 1992

8 Smith, A., "The Role of Tacit and Explicit Knowledge in the Workplace" 5 (5): 311-321, 2001

9 Cooper, A., "The Inmates Are Running The Asylum: Why High-Tech Products Drive Us Crazy And How To Restore The Sanity" Sams Publishing 1999

10 Nugraha, D. N. S., "The Color Meaning in Go Green Logo : A Semiotics Study" 11 (11): 55-65, 2019

11 Ramollari, E., "Student UML: An Educational Tool Supporting Object-Oriented Analysis and Design" University of Patras 36-373, 2007

12 Kauppinen-Räisänen, H., "Strategic Use of Colour in Brand Packaging" 27 (27): 663-676, 2014

13 Bartneck, C., "Semi-Automatic Color Analysis For Brand Logo" 40 (40): 72-84, 2015

14 Won, S., "Requirements capture for colour information for design professionals" 43 : 387-395, 2018

15 Hutchings. J. B., "Quantification of Scene Appearance-A Valid Design Tool?" 37 (37): 44-52, 2012

16 Cheng, K. H., "Parents' user experiences of augmented reality book reading : perceptions, expectations, and intentions" 67 : 303-315, 2019

17 Eriksen, C. W., "Location of Objects in a Visual Display as Function of the Number of Dimensions on which the Objects Differ" 44 (44): 56-60, 1952

18 Goodman-Deane, J., "Key influences on the user-centred design process" 21 (21): 345-373, 2010

19 Zeki, S., "Inner Vision : An Exploration of Art and the Brain" Oxford University Press 1999

20 Wodehouse, A. J., "Information Use in Conceptual Design : Existing Taxonomies and New Approaches" 4 (4): 53-65, 2010

21 Paese, P. W., "Influences on the Appropriateness of Confidence in Judgment : Practice, Effort, Information, and Decision-Making" 48 (48): 100-130, 1991

22 Guest, G., "How Many Interviews Are Enough? An Experiment with Data Saturation and Variability" 18 (18): 59-82, 2006

23 Atman, C., "Engineering Design Processes : A Comparison of Students and Expert Practitioners" 96 (96): 359-379, 2007

24 Mo, Z., "Effects of functional green advertising on self and others" 35 (35): 368-382, 2018

25 Marshall, R., "Design and evaluation: End users, user datasets and personas" 46 (46): 311-317, 2015

26 Hynes, N., "Colour and Meaning in Corporate Logos : An Empirical Study" 16 (16): 545-555, 2009

27 Caivano, L. J., "Chromatic Identity in Global and Local Markets : Analysis of Colours in Branding" 1 (1): 1-14, 2007

28 Correa, F. L. N., "A New Online Tool to Detect Color Misconceptions" 41 (41): 325-329, 2016

29 Shooter, S. B., "A Model for the Flow of Design Information in Product Development" 16 (16): 178-194, 2000