Image evaluation and a feeling of fatigue with different hue backgrounds on VDT screens

Abstract

In this study, the effects of VDT color patterns on a feeling of fatigue were examined in 16 female college students. Eight color patterns were used to create achromatic or chromatic (blue, red, and green) backgrounds for the positive and negative VDT display modes. During a 30-minute task (a character search), color patterns creating backgrounds for the positive display mode with higher levels of brightness were more positively evaluated in terms of visibility and legibility. Thus, the visibility and legibility of color patterns creating backgrounds with higher levels of saturation for the negative display mode may be reduced even if they comply with international standards. When the difference in brightness between characters and the background was sufficient, the positive display mode and achromatic backgrounds were associated with a lower level of fatigue. In contrast, negatively evaluated color patterns reduced work accuracy even when the Critical Fusion Frequency-based fatigue was mild. Color patterns creating achromatic backgrounds, as well as chromatic backgrounds with lower levels of saturation, for the positive display mode may improve the esthetics and legibility for browsing texts.