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Does interior color contrast enhance spatial memory?
Author(s) -
Min Young Hee,
Lee Soyeon
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
color research and application
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.393
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1520-6378
pISSN - 0361-2317
DOI - 10.1002/col.22463
Subject(s) - contrast (vision) , hue , memorization , computer science , recall , sketch , color contrast , scale (ratio) , artificial intelligence , high contrast , computer graphics (images) , computer vision , cognitive psychology , psychology , geography , cartography , optics , algorithm , physics
Abstract This study investigated the effect of contrast in neutral‐, warm‐, and cool‐colored spaces on spatial memory. Spatial memory was measured in terms of architectural scale and recollection of architectural elements and furniture. Participants ( N = 114) viewed a short virtual simulation video of a residential studio and were asked to sketch a map of the architectural elements on distributed grid paper. Spatial memory was measured in terms of scale, and item recall rate. Contrast and hue had no significant effect on the memorization of proportional scale. However, high‐contrast schemes allowed for a significantly higher recollection of architectural elements than low‐contrast schemes. In comparing the effect of hues, a significant difference was seen in recalling detailed furniture and lighting items. Participants reported significantly better spatial memory of neutral and warm color schemes than of cool color schemes. There was no interaction effect between contrast and hue in the color combinations. These results can be applied in the design of color schemes for architectural spaces requiring enhanced spatial cognition and memory.