Ergonomic design and visual perception: the influence of color on the usability of everyday use artifacts

• Grant number: 18/06764-6
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Industrial Design - Product Design
• Cooperation agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal researcher: Luis Carlos Paschoarelli
• Grantee: Ana Laura Alves
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura, Artes e Comunicação (FAAC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Different areas of knowledge - design, architecture, psychology, ergonomics, marketing and neuroscience - have presented questions that suggest the influence of color on human behavior and its well being. However, little is known about chromatic interference in the usability of an artifact (product). The present research project aims to verify if the color of an artifact influences its usability; and if so, to understand this influence. For this, it is intended to consider as object of analysis two artifacts of daily use, or more specifically, domestic utensils available in commerce in different colors. The methodological procedures will be characterized by a transversal approach, with experimental application. Ethical principles will be employed. Data collection will occur in three situations: 1. Visual and tactile interaction; 2. Usage interaction, at which time the usability of the artifact will be evaluated through the SUS protocol, as well as the use of FaceReaderTM software, for satisfaction analysis; 3. Post use evaluation, in which the participant will carry out an overall evaluation of the activity, classifying the products according to their preference. The results will be analyzed by parametric and non-parametric statistical analysis. From these, it's intended to confirm (or not) the hypothesis that color exerts influence on the usability of a product. Therefore, the study should contribute knowledge in the areas of ergonomic design and visual perception, as well as the technological development of new products.