A fast perceptual method for evaluating color scales for Internet visualization

We have developed a fast perceptual method for evaluating color scales for data visualization that uses a monochrome photographic image of a human face as a test pattern. We conducted an experiment in which we applied various color scales to a photographic image of a face and asked observers to rate the naturalness of each image. We found a very strong correlation between the perceived naturalness of the images and the luminance monotonicity of the color scales. Since color scales with monotonic luminance profiles are widely recommended and used for visualizing continuous scalar data, we conclude that using a human face as a test pattern provides a quick, simple method for evaluating such color scales in Internet environments.