From Simple to Polychromatic: An Empirical Study on Optimal Color Schemes for Optical See-Through Head-Mounted Displays

Optical see-through head-mounted displays (OHMDs) blend digital content with the physical world, presenting unique color management challenges. Previous literature suggests using green as the main color, but this severely limits creative freedom. To address this, we conducted an empirical study with 30 participants, evaluating 216 colors under various OHMD usage conditions. Based on the results, we propose color guidelines indicating each hue's clear and comfortable saturation and brightness ranges, along with clarity and comfort scores across hues for different devices and lighting conditions. Our color guidelines expand the usable color palette, offering designers a wider range of color options. These guidelines were used and iteratively refined through feedback in a workshop with 12 designers, integrating them into practical design workflows. The resulting comprehensive color guide provides a valuable resource for OHMD interface designers, enhancing both the aesthetic possibilities and functional effectiveness of augmented reality experiences.