Effective colors for information design: A color-coding study of China’s high-speed railway map

This study evaluated the effectiveness of China’s high-speed railway map’s color system based on color design principles in information design. Various design limitations of the color system were identified and analyzed. A new color system which enhanced the legibility of the map was re-coded and was considered satisfactory in the usability test. The research explores the effect of colors in map design and provides valuable color-coding guidance, which may be applied to map design and to the design of other information materials. The color evaluation, re-coding and usability test methods may bring practical insights for information designers and color design researchers.