This study addresses an individual's performance, relating it to eyesight changes due to the aging of the individual and to color computer screens used for computer-based-instruction not designed specifically for older students. This study determines how existing research in gerontology, human-computer interface, and color use in visual graphics can be applied to the design of computer screen displays containing color text and backgrounds and how various color combinations will affect performance by adult learners forty years of age and older. The results of this research provide software developers and instructional designers guidelines to use when designing computer screen displays for use in instructional computing settings involving older adults.

Users can assess the visual appeal of a web page within 50 milliseconds and color is the first thing noticed onscreen. That directly influences user perception of the website, and choosing appealing color combinations is therefore crucial for successful web design. Recent scientific research has identified which individual colors are culturally preferred in web design in different countries but there is no similar research on hue combinations. Currently no effective, scientifically based guidelines on combining hues for web designers exist either, since recent research by Ou et al and Szabo et al, among others, proves the classic color harmonies invalid. Therefore this study aims to identify guidelines for culturally appropriate hue combination in context of web design. The study is limited to culturally appropriate combining of hues in Thai and Swedish web design.