Functionality of Signboard in Considering Landscape

Abstract

Recently, regulations governing outdoor advertisements have been enacted in Kyoto, and elsewhere, based on landscape and cityscape planning considerations. Commonly, such regulations are based on desires to preserve historical townscapes and permit development of more attractive cities. In this study, we aimed to clarify conditions by which signboards can be made to harmonize with their surrounding landscape from the viewpoint of color, while maintaining a sufficient level “functionality” in locations where we normally live. The experiment was conducted using a personal computer monitor on which colored signboards were displayed against various backgrounds. The results are suggested that coloring patterns in which white is used as the background or lettering color are highly evaluated for “harmony”, and coloring patterns of black or chromatic color background × white lettering are likely to remain in the viewer’s “impression”.