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geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: Giorgio on Mon, 12 October 2015, 04:25:46

Title: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Giorgio on Mon, 12 October 2015, 04:25:46
As many of you know, surgeons use green coats because that color is complementary to red, eliminating problems of double vision and ghosting effect: "green may be especially well-suited to help doctors see better in the operating room Because it is the opposite of red on the color wheel." http://scienceline.org/2008/09/ask-locke-greenbluescrubs/ (http://scienceline.org/2008/09/ask-locke-greenbluescrubs/)

For us mortals, busy all day looking at the white pages of books and notepads, which may be the right color? I always had white and beige keyboards, gray at best.
A black keyboard, or colored, can be annoying? Can it stress your eyes?
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 12 October 2015, 05:46:30
As many of you know, surgeons use green coats because that color is complementary to red, eliminating problems of double vision and ghosting effect: "green may be especially well-suited to help doctors see better in the operating room Because it is the opposite of red on the color wheel." http://scienceline.org/2008/09/ask-locke-greenbluescrubs/ (http://scienceline.org/2008/09/ask-locke-greenbluescrubs/)

For us mortals, busy all day looking at the white pages of books and notepads, which may be the right color? I always had white and beige keyboards, gray at best.
A black keyboard, or colored, can be annoying? Can it stress your eyes?

Most people don't spend much time staring at the board, especially this who use mechanical keyboards, so I don't think it really matters too much. High contrast legends can be more of a factor than overall board color, IMHO.

This is coming from someone who changes their keycaps regularly and is always buying new ones :)

Penumbra (with Solarized alphas) has remained the longest on a board out of all my sets, if that says anything. It's designed to be less straining on the eyes, but I just love the colors and feel of the set, I can't say that eye strain has been a factor in that.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Giorgio on Mon, 12 October 2015, 06:20:06
I don't stare at the keyboard directly for typing,  but it is always in the middle of my field of vision, since I have books in front of it and I write on the left of it.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: tofu28 on Tue, 13 October 2015, 12:41:06
I think the difference is negligible. If the keyboard matches the color of its surroundings, it shouldn't stand out much as a distraction in your periphery.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Giorgio on Tue, 13 October 2015, 14:15:53
I think the difference is negligible. If the keyboard matches the color of its surroundings, it shouldn't stand out much as a distraction in your periphery.

So my table is whitish, like my papers and books. Should I stay with light colors? That's what I always did, I haven't owned a black keyboard on ten years... I wonder if the white and black contrast is annoying.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Findecanor on Tue, 13 October 2015, 14:39:36
I think earth colours can be soothing. Beige and brown - don't care about yellowing, can't see the dirt on it, does not stick out, low saturated colours.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: tofu28 on Tue, 13 October 2015, 17:46:43
I think the difference is negligible. If the keyboard matches the color of its surroundings, it shouldn't stand out much as a distraction in your periphery.

So my table is whitish, like my papers and books. Should I stay with light colors? That's what I always did, I haven't owned a black keyboard on ten years... I wonder if the white and black contrast is annoying.

Yeah, I think light colors would work best, but it's all up to personal preference. I think colors that are the same as their environment are less likely to become a distraction.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: MyBoolean on Wed, 14 October 2015, 23:23:17
As many of you know, surgeons use green coats because that color is complementary to red, eliminating problems of double vision and ghosting effect: "green may be especially well-suited to help doctors see better in the operating room Because it is the opposite of red on the color wheel." http://scienceline.org/2008/09/ask-locke-greenbluescrubs/ (http://scienceline.org/2008/09/ask-locke-greenbluescrubs/)

For us mortals, busy all day looking at the white pages of books and notepads, which may be the right color? I always had white and beige keyboards, gray at best.
A black keyboard, or colored, can be annoying? Can it stress your eyes?

Most people don't spend much time staring at the board, especially this who use mechanical keyboards, so I don't think it really matters too much. High contrast legends can be more of a factor than overall board color, IMHO.

This is coming from someone who changes their keycaps regularly and is always buying new ones :)

Penumbra (with Solarized alphas) has remained the longest on a board out of all my sets, if that says anything. It's designed to be less straining on the eyes, but I just love the colors and feel of the set, I can't say that eye strain has been a factor in that.

somehow i agree with this. hahaha. i stare at my keyboard when its dirty and urge me to clean it. :D
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: mobbo on Thu, 15 October 2015, 19:06:54
The only thing I find slightly distracting color-wise is back lighting.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 16 October 2015, 16:22:25
I find latte brown and turquoise to be very relaxing shades.
(http://images.myperfectcolor.com/repositories/images/colors/MPC00052345-2.jpg)
(http://f.tqn.com/y/desktoppub/1/S/e/k/3/swatch-paleturquoise.png)
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Kola93 on Sun, 25 October 2015, 23:02:24
Beige was prominent in the 90s for computer hardware due to being a neutral and calm colour.

Hopefully it makes a comeback in the near future, but I highly doubt it! ^-^
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Giorgio on Mon, 26 October 2015, 02:19:31
I
Beige was prominent in the 90s for computer hardware due to being a neutral and calm colour.

Hopefully it makes a comeback in the near future, but I highly doubt it! ^-^

That's exactly my geek back background :-)
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: MajorMajor on Tue, 27 October 2015, 13:06:25
I'd say any cool or neutral color should be fine. A doctor's scurbs take up a lot more of your vision when being treated than your keyboard lighting will during your day, so I don't think it's a big matter. I do prefer more neutral and relaxed keycaps though.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: gabba-gool on Wed, 28 October 2015, 14:41:28
I don't really look at my board too often whist typing but I do really like my white caps. I thinks a soft green is the most relaxing color.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: thatsmrdoctortoyou on Wed, 28 October 2015, 14:49:01
I've heard this before and it reinforces why I enjoy green so much  ;). Anyway, I tend to choose keycap colors/designs based on what is aesthetically appealing to me. Like everyone has been saying, we don't tend to stare at our boards too often while working. In my situation I often have a large amount of stress involved with the work I do in front of my work computer. My thoughts are that it I have a board which triggers happy thoughts when I see it, it can only help to eliminate some of the unhappy/stressful/negative thoughts associated with the work I'm doing while sitting in front of the computer. That's one of my excuses for this hobby anyway  ^-^
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: sitch on Thu, 29 October 2015, 12:08:30
Unless you're a see typist, you don't usually pay much attention when you type. The only moment I look at the keyboard is when I'm admiring how beautiful it is
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Giorgio on Thu, 29 October 2015, 13:08:28
Unless you're a see typist, you don't usually pay much attention when you type. The only moment I look at the keyboard is when I'm admiring how beautiful it is

But I always write at the left of the keyboard, or read papers in front of it, so it is anyway in my field of vision...
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 30 October 2015, 21:04:51
I think it's important to have something that will not envoke any agitation if you want to remain calm.  Something that triggers happy thoughts is always good, and if changing to a different color might do that, then that's the ticket.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: ideus on Fri, 30 October 2015, 21:06:50
What about the traditional beige, isn't it relaxing?
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: Frizer on Sat, 31 October 2015, 12:06:13
Legible legends
Matt plate
Diffused backlighting
Off white desktop underneath.
Title: Re: Relaxing colors for a keyboard
Post by: shibataken on Wed, 11 November 2015, 09:30:32
I am a fan of darker colors at night/winter and brighter colors during the day/summer.  So a nice dark brown color that won't catch the corner of my eye is a lot easier to use at night or on dreary days when typing some emails or just browsing.  Brighter colors that look great in the sunshine like orange for example I use during the day/summer :D