Abstract #300737

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JSM 2002 Abstract #300737
Activity Number: 171
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Tuesday, August 13, 2002 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Graphics*
Abstract - #300737
Title: ColorBrewer: A Web Tool for Selecting Color Schemes for Maps and Graphs
Author(s): Cynthia Brewer*+ and Mark Harrower
Affiliation(s): Pennsylvania State University and Pennsylvania State University
Address: 302 Walker Building, University Park, Pennsylvania, 16802, USA
Keywords: design ; color ; visualization ; mapping ; graphics
Abstract:

A color scheme that is attractive and logical will be effective in visualizing and communicating data that are represented on a map or graph. We have developed an online tool that takes some of the guesswork out of the process of selecting colors for data representation. Built in Flash 5, this dynamic tool recommends and displays (as both map and legend) professional schemes appropriate to the number of data classes and nature of the data. It suggests usability for varied display media and by colorblind readers. Users can adjust properties of a demonstration map display such as background color, border color, and map scale and can overlay symbols to test usefulness of a scheme for specific mapping contexts. The maps serve as diagnostic tools--color patterns prompt users to check if each color in the sequence is legible on all potential backgrounds. Mini-tutorials are embedded throughout the interface. Color specifications in RGB, CMYK, hexadecimal, CIE Lab, and HSV (for ArcView 3.x mapping software) are displayed on screen and can be exported. This tool is available on the web at ColorBrewer.org.

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