Unconstrained web-based color naming experiment

This paper describes an ongoing web-based approach to collecting color names or color categories. Previous studies have tended to require a large number of observations from a small number of observers. These studies have also tended to limit responses to one-word or monolexical replies. Many studies have also focused on response time or levels of intra-observer agreement in order to identify focal colors. This web-based study uses a distributed design to collect a small number of names from a large number of observers. The responses are neither limited to nor restricted from being monolexical. The focal color analysis is then based on statistical analysis of monolexcially named colors. This paper presents the methodology and infrastructure, as well as considerations for data analysis. Finally, preliminary results of the experiment are results are considered. The data from over 700 participants results in CIELAB hues and lightnesses for the basic colors that agree with previous investigations as well as those investigations agree with each other. “Artists can color the sky red because they know it's blue. Those of us who aren't artists must color things the way they really are or people might think we're stupid.” Jules Feiffer “Where does the violet tint ends and the orange tint begins? Distinctly we see the difference of the colors, but where exactly does the one first blending enter into the other.” Herman Melville