Ergonomics design and visual perception: influence of the color on everyday artifacts’ usability

Author(s)

Ana Laura Alves

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Artes. 2020-08-10.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Arquitetura. Artes. Comunicação e Design. Bauru
• Defense date: 2020-02-27
• Advisor: Luis Carlos Paschoarelli

Abstract

Different areas of knowledge have showed questions that suggest the color influence on human behavior and well-being. However, little is known about chromatic interference on artifact usability. This study aimed to verify if the color of an artifact influences its usability. For this purpose, have selected two everyday artifacts of domestic use, more specifically, one garlic peeler model and one of potato masher, available in the market in three different colors (gray, green and red). The methodological procedures are characterized by a transversal approach with experimental application. Ethical principles were employed. The study included a hundred twenty female participants (n=120), without musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper limbs and visual system pathologies related to chromatic perception; and belonging to age groups from 18 to 29 (n=60; young group) and 30 to 55 (n=60; adult group) years old, once aging promotes changes in visual system and cognitive and motor activities. Data collection occurred in three stages: 1. Visual interaction, moment of product use demonstration by the researcher; 2. Interaction of use, when the volunteer used the product and evaluated its usability through the SUS Protocol, as well as their facial microexpressions were collected for further analysis with the software FaceReaderTM (Noldus); 3. Post-use evaluation, in which the participant classified the products according to their preference. The results were analyzed by parametric and nonparametric statistics. The green color provoked more emotional responses in volunteers when testing the garlic peeler, although the adult group presented better performance and satisfaction rates when using the product in red color. In contrast, the adult group of the potato juicer experiment obtained better indexes with gray/silver color. The results suggests color doesn’t interfere on activities’ effectiveness and efficiency. However, color influences satisfaction of its users during product interaction, a relevant subjective factor for artifacts’ Design. Therefore, the study can contribute with knowledge in areas like Design, Ergonomics design and Visual perception, as well as the technological development of new products. (AU)