Psychological and cartographic principles for the production of visual layering effects in computer displays

A method is reported which enables designers to colour code computer displayed information into a perceptual hierarchy in much the same way as visual layering effects are achieved in cartography. Principles of colour perception and cartography are used to derive palettes of colours. The colours within these palettes are used to code screen based information such that elements of the display most relevant to the user's task appear more conspicuous and nearer than less task relevant information. The application of this method to a typical control room display is described and illustrated.