Optimal Color Design of Psychological Counseling Room by Design of Experiments and Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

Color is one of the most powerful aspects of a psychological counseling environment. Little scientific research has been conducted on color design and much of the existing literature is based on observational studies. Using design of experiments and response surface methodology, this paper proposes an optimal color design approach for transforming patients’ perception into color elements. Six indices, pleasant-unpleasant, interesting-uninteresting, exciting-boring, relaxing-distressing, safe-fearful, and active-inactive, were used to assess patients’ impression. A total of 75 patients participated, including 42 for Experiment 1 and 33 for Experiment 2. 27 representative color samples were designed in Experiment 1, and the color sample (L = 75, a = 0, b = -60) was the most preferred one. In Experiment 2, this color sample was set as the ‘central point’, and three color attributes were optimized to maximize the patients’ satisfaction. The experimental results show that the proposed method can get the optimal solution for color design of a counseling room.

An exploratory study of clients’ experiences and preferences for counselling room space and design

“…Most studies were undertaken over 40 years ago, based on quantitative designs in controlled, but artificial situations, which may lack external validity (Pressly & Heesacker, ). More recent studies suggest a renewed interest in healthcare environments, particularly hospital settings (Anthony & Watkins, ; Baack, ; Dellinger, ; Liu, Ji, Chen, & Ye, ; Miwa & Hanyu, ; Pearson & Wilson, ; Smith & Watkins, ). While these studies contribute to general understandings of human interaction in built environments, they fail to consider the psychological state of individuals seeking counselling, which usually occurs when people are experiencing disadvantage, vulnerability, confusion or sadness.…”

The potential of service design for improving the implementation of shared decision-making

“…This is somewhat puzzling because a large number of studies have reported on the effect of aspects of the interior of consultation rooms (or even of adjacent waiting areas) on patient stress and patient disclosure (Okken, van Rompay, and Pruyn 2013;Huisman et al 2012;Ajiboye et al 2015;Miwa 2006;Liu et al 2014;Dahlgaard et al 2008;Sobral, Rosenbaum, and Figueiredo-Braga 2015;Charise et al 2011;Baskaya 2004;Noordman et al 2010;Frankel et al 2005;Almquist et al 2009). For example, Okken et al (2013) found that brightness of the consultation room might influence the communication between the healthcare professional and patient.…”

Flowering, a Critical Phenological Stage as a Limiting Factor for Almond Native Ecotypes Cultivation in Eastern Morocco

“…CIELAB color space diagram ( Fig. 1) as described by Liu et al (2014) shows the following parameters. L* axis indicates the lightness of a color; a* axis is the ratio redness/greenness; b* axis is the ratio blueness/ yellowness.…”