Color Task

A system to classify the different ways people use colors. These classifications were originally defined by Cole (1972). There are 5 ways classes:

• Comparative – Multiple colors must be compared, such as with mixing paint
• Connotative – Colors are given an explicit meaning, such as red = stop
• Denotative – Identifying colors, for example by name, such as “should I buy the red shirt?”
• Aesthetic – Colors look nice – or convey an emotional response – but don’t carry explicit meaning

Depending on the color task, the strategy for making the task more accessible to the colorblind will be different. For example, ColorADD is a system designed to help the colorblind, but it specifically helps with denotative tasks. It is not an ideal solution for other tasks.