A new approach to perceptual assessment of human-computer interfaces

This paper proposes a new approach and a tool to assess user interfaces by applying the ACE (Automatic Color Equalization) algorithm for computing the alternative distribution of color and contrast for the interface under design. The way humans perceive digital images or interfaces is influenced by their chromatic and spatial composition. The output of the ACE tool suggests changes in the visual composition of the interface that the designer can decide to consider or not in its final version. This semi-automatic approach to visual assessment, where the designer expertise may supervise the results and the following design decisions, allows to add a low-level perceptual testing point of view during the design phase, nowadays not always considered. The paper presents the results of a user test that involved 50 participants and regarded the evaluation of 16 different interfaces (and their alternatives). Results report the effectiveness of this innovative interfaces visual assessment approach and tool.