Aesthetic Response to Color Combinations: Preference, Harmony, and Similarity

Distinguishes preference, harmony, and figure-color preference when rating pairs of colors.

Schloss & Palmer (2011)Journaldoi:10.3758/s13414-010-0027-0

Citation

Schloss, K. B., & Palmer, S. E. (2011). Aesthetic Response to Color Combinations: Preference, Harmony, and Similarity. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 73(2), 551–571.

Method

Experiment measuring ratings of color pairs.

Claims used

Preference and perceived harmony increased with hue similarity; preference also depended on lightness contrast.
Pairs with strongly contrasting hues were generally disliked and judged less harmonious.

Extracted principles

Adjacent hues feel harmoniousNot tested
Colors shown side by side or in sequence should use nearby hues because similar hues are generally judged more harmonious.

Color