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Comparative Visibility Of Full Value
Color Combinations
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- These 14 color combinations for
lettering were tested using only primary and secondary colors of
full intensity and value. Tests for readability at a distance were
conducted through various advertisers under the sponsorship of the
Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA).
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The results averaged out in the sequence
shown, with #1 the most legible moving to #14 as the least legible.
It is interesting to note that light letters on a dark background
(3,4,6,8,10,12, and 14) appear to be wider than their positive
counterparts. |
- Color Frequencies and
Contrast
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- Like sound waves, light rays have
varying wave lengths or frequencies. The lighter the color, the
higher the frequency. These wave lengths determine how we perceive
color. Some pigments absorb certain light frequencies and reflect
others. We see the reflected frequencies as color.
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Complementary colors such as red and
green are not readily legible. They have similar black and white
value, so their wave lengths set up a vibration. Any combination of
colors of similar value, even without vibrating, will have low
visibility. However, although yellow and purple are complementary
colors, they have strong contrast in value and therefore little
vibration. They provide maximum visibility.
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