The Newest Tool for Technical Communicators—Redux

INTRODUCTION Although using color in print documents is no longer as uncommon as it was when Jan V. White’s popular article, “Color: The Newest Tool for Technical Communicators,” appeared in Technical communication in 1991, many of us still do not feel comfortable in using it. Most of us technical communicators did not go to design school, thereby acquiring a nuanced understanding of color theory. Similarly, many of us have not worked in professional print shops, thereby acquiring a keen understanding of printer output. Even the textbooks we read in technical communication courses usually devote just one or two pages to color (Reep 2006, 158–159; Smith-Worthington and Jefferson 2005, 152–153). Although most of us are not as “chromophobic” as we once were, we may lack background knowledge about color and, therefore, lack confidence in our choices. As technical communicators, we realize that we should know something about color theory so that we can choose colors and color combinations that increase documents’ usability. We know that color can do more than just dress a document or create visual interest. We also realize that we should know something about the practice of using color effectively and methods of obtaining the colors we intend. In this article, I expand on White’s important article (so important that it was republished in STC’s fiftieth anniversary issue of Technical communication in 2003). From White’s focus on the practice of creating usable documents, I zoom out to discuss a broader spectrum of both theory and practice related to color in technical communication, particularly in relation to print documents. That is, in this article, I examine research and best practices to provide some of that confidence-building background knowledge about color. THEORY AND PRACTICE OF COLOR On a very basic level, we can divide our understanding of color into two categories: theory and practice. Color theory informs us, helping us understand underlying, universal principles that govern all situations. Color practice directs us, telling us how to use color most effectively. Figure 1 diagrams theoretical and practical knowledge about color that is of interest to technical communicators. White (2003) focused mainly on four branches of this diagram; these four fall under the “creating usable documents” node (and appear in italics in Figure 1). This article discusses the rest of the branches—more considerations about color for technical communicators.