Color Conventions and Application Standards

Abstract

The concept of “color conventions” refers to the idea that certain colors are familiarly associated with specific meanings. In fact, the terms color conventions and color meanings are generally synonymous. The term convention might also be used in a more limited sense where it describes consistency of meaning in a single application or specific context. Application standards, on the other hand, are specifically meant to govern the design of color display systems through standardized specifications or, at least, recommended practices. Whereas conventions describe what might be considered traditional color usage, application standards prescribe the application of color to system design. Developers of systems in which color electronic displays will be used for the man-machine interface should pay attention to both conventions and standards and, it is probably fair to say, should have a good rationale for designs which deviate from them.