Readability of Colour Patterns

In the previous learning objective about angular readability, we concentrated on perceptive contrasts on 2-D a surface. Now the focus lays on readability of colour patterns, which relate to the height above the 2-D surface.
This means if you take a global look at a map - during the stage of initial perception - the expected and therefore relevant information has to stick out immediately. The background information needs to be subtle, and not dominating over the foreground.

Many rules deal with the readability of colour patterns. Here we will present the most evident ones, while the more complex ones will be treated on a intermediate level.

Optimal contrasts can be reached if:

• all shapes and other elements are visible
• those shapes stick out of their surroundings
• the tallest elements can be separated from each other

Optimal readability is ensured if:

• the total amount of black symbols lays between 5% and 10% of the entire surface.
• If it is less than 5%, the smaller elements will be invisible, whereas, if the percentage is above 10 %, the tallest elements can overlap. The overlap would present illegible information.

From this quantity of black symbols, it will be necessary to have the maximum range. You should try to use the full sensitive range of a given variable.