How color affects immediate recall in informational graphics : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

This study focuses on the use of color in a specific form of newspaper journalism: the informational graphic. Color use in informational graphics, comprised of charts, graphs, maps and diagrams, is virtually unexplored by previous studies that examined general use of color in newspapers. The following project examines which color promotes the highest recall of information in graphics through a questionnaire and quantitative quiz submitted to Ball State students in the Spring 1999 semester. The researcher compared the colors black, red and blue, combined with a short analysis of recall of facts in graphic explainers.