A cross-cultural analysis of color use in information graphics (2012)
Undergraduate: Kelly McHugh
Faculty Advisor: Terence Oliver
Department: Journalism & Mass Communication
Color is an integral part of mass communication, particularly in visual communication. Color perception and meaning varies between individuals, groups, and countries but has some consistent trends among them. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of color perception and meaning in journalism and mass communication. Using information graphics collected from major newspapers from six different countries, color use throughout the newspaper, plotted along the 0-360 hue scale, along with graphic shape, size, and other parameters, were recorded by two individuals to reduce selection bias. The results indicate similar patterns across cultures. Analysis of the color use showed no significant difference between countries, with red and blue dominating the rest of the color spectrum. The data gathered can be used in advertising and other commercial graphics for specific countries.