Unit 3 Concepts

Question 1

color scheme

Answer 1

the combination of colors we design for use in a document. In addition to adding contrast and emphasis, color in document design dramatically affects sequencing and grouping

Question 2

hue

Answer 2

it refers to the place of a color in the visible spectrum of light; it is therefore the most common way in which we understand color

Question 3

saturation

Answer 3

refers to the amount of hue in a color; it is measured in terms of intensity (strong, bold, soft, muted)

Question 4

value

Answer 4

how “light” or “dark” a color appears

Question 5

tinting

Answer 5

mixing hues with white which creates lighter value colors

Question 6

shading

Answer 6

mixing hues with black which creates darker value colors

Question 7

warm colors

Answer 7

perceived as active and energetic

Question 8

cool colors

Answer 8

considered relaxed and thoughtful

Question 9

neutral colors

Answer 9

has no pronounced affect on the document (grays and taupe)

Question 10

color wheel

Answer 10

a representation of the perceptual color spectrum as a twelve-sectioned circle

Question 11

harmonious colors

Answer 11

those that seem most like they “go together” or belong in the same document—can be found in selections of three colors equidistant around the color wheel

Question 12

primary colors

Answer 12

the three colors that cannot be created by mixing others: red, yellow, and blue

Question 13

complementary colors

Answer 13

colors that appear directly opposite each other on the color wheel. Large bodies of complementary colors placed next to each other produce tension and an unsettled feeling.

Question 14

analogous colors

Answer 14

neighbors on the color wheel (3 or 4 together)

Question 15

monochromatic color scheme

Answer 15

created from the colors (tints, tones, and shades) of a single base hue. The energy of monochromatic schemes is more subtle and peaceful due to a lack of contrast of hue. (They may also be considered boring unless there is diversity within the design.)

Question 16

RGB color model

Answer 16

refers to the use of red, green, and blue as the basic colors from which all other hues are produced. This is the model used for on-screen design.

Question 17

CMYK color model

Answer 17

refers to the use of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black as the basic colors from which all other hues are produced. It is the model of print, or what is also called 4-color (or full color process) printing.

Question 18

process color

Answer 18

refers to any color that is added to a printed document by way of the standard process of mixing CMYK

Question 19

spot color

Answer 19

refers to the addition of a special colored element (for example, a metallic or fluorescent ink) in an otherwise process-color document. These are hand-mixed inks or tints that are purchased ready-made from manufacturers such as Pantone, the most widely recognized producer of custom colors.

Question 20

usability

Answer 20

refers to a human-made object’s capacity to meet its intended purpose for its intended audience/user. Three common aspects of usability are learnability, ease of use, and user satisfaction.

Question 21

learnability

Answer 21

how quickly/effectively does the user learn what must be done to use the object as intended?

Question 22

ease of use

Answer 22

how difficult is it for the user to use the object as intended? Is this level of difficulty appropriate to the difficulty of the object’s intended use?

Question 23

user satisfaction

Answer 23

does the object meet the user’s needs to the degree intended?

Question 24

usability testing

Answer 24

refers to the use of qualitative or quantitative methods to measure the usability of an object.

Question 25

efficiency

Answer 25

how much time/how many steps did it take?

Question 26

accuracy

Answer 26

how many mistakes were made?

Question 27

recall

Answer 27

how well does the user retain understanding?

Question 28

emotional response

Answer 28

how does the user feel about their interaction with the object?

Question 29

hallway testing

Answer 29

selecting random users to test, especially in order to find “brick walls”

Question 30

observations

Answer 30

monitoring (and sometimes recording) users in the process of attempting to use the object

Question 31

think-aloud/talk-aloud protocols

Answer 31

monitoring users while they speak through their thoughts and responses in the process of intending to use the object

Question 32

eye tracking

Answer 32

monitoring saccades for insight into user experience

Question 33

focus group

Answer 33

talking with many users simultaneously, usually with a

moderator leading the discussion around pre-established questions

Question 34

exit interviews/surveys

Answer 34

questioning after the fact for information about user experience

Question 35

expert review or usability audit

Answer 35

often uses content-area experts to evaluate very specific aspects of usability, known as heuristic evaluation. Aspects of usability that are commonly subjected to expert review include:
• Help and documentation
• Standard compliance (such as ISO, ANSI, and so on)
• Culture-specific usability
• Accessibility and disability accommodation
• Aesthetics