9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
[HTT15-03] Image on Station Square by Color Analysis
Keywords:open space, symbol, place name, mascot character
1.Introduction
The role of the station square keeps changing with the times. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, station squares are expected to be attractive and easy-to-use spaces, especially in terms of factors such as convenience, comfort, safety, and locality. In this study, we focused on the colors in the station square and the image of the station. Our goal is to create a distinctive and symbolic open space.
2.Objectives and Methods
The local character and the image of the station are important. In particular, the purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between the physical properties of HTML Color Codes used in station squares and the cognitive characteristics of the color images. The methods used were one color analysis and two questionnaire surveys. The color analysis was conducted to extract the colors of the station square. The questionnaire survey was conducted to extract cognitive characteristics of color images.
3.Preliminary investigation
We conducted a survey of 18 station squares on the JR Biwako Line from Nagahama Station to Kusatsu Station. As an overall result, many grey colors were extracted. At the east exit of Omihachiman Station, reddish brown was identified as a characteristic color. This is used for the pavement in the station square. We inferred that the characteristic colors in the station square influence the image of the station.
4.Questionnaire 1
We investigated the color difference images of three stations: Omihachiman Station, Hikone Station, and Kusatsu Station. As a result, it was revealed that Hikone Station reflects the local mascot character.
The image of Omihachiman Station reflects the characteristics of the station square. The image of Kusatsu Station reflects the colors associated with the place name.
5.Questionnaire 2
We conducted a second questionnaire survey to identify trends regarding color image formation. The survey targeted 30 major stations across Japan, including stations close to tourist attractions and stations with distinctive names.
Brown and orange were extracted for the color image of Tokyo Station. A distinctive feature of Tokyo Station is the red brick exterior of the Marunouchi Station building. This shows a high degree of agreement with the colors extracted through the questionnaire survey. For this reason, the image of Tokyo Station is influenced by symbols such as the Marunouchi Station Building.
Blue is the most extracted color for the image of Universal City Station. This station is the closest to Universal Studios Japan (USJ). Blue is utilized as the brand image here. There is consistency between the color image and the theme color of USJ. The image of this station may be influenced by tourist spots.
Yellow is the most extracted for the color image of Funabashi Station. The colors match those used by the region's mascot, Funassyi. The color image of this station was influenced by the mascot character.
Pink is the most extracted for the color image of Sakurai Station. This is because of the place name. Contains Sakura, which has the image of pink color in Japan.
6. Conclusion
This study revealed four major trends in the formation of color images. First, there is a tendency for color images to be influenced by the symbols of the station square. The second is a tendency to be influenced by the colors used at tourist spots near stations. The third trend is the influence of mascot characters around stations. The fourth trend is that people’s perceptions are influenced by place names. There may be other trends that do not fall into these categories. The results of this study can be utilized in the design, shape and zones of station squares. In the future, we aim to conduct a more detailed analysis and apply the findings of this study to urban planning.
The role of the station square keeps changing with the times. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, station squares are expected to be attractive and easy-to-use spaces, especially in terms of factors such as convenience, comfort, safety, and locality. In this study, we focused on the colors in the station square and the image of the station. Our goal is to create a distinctive and symbolic open space.
2.Objectives and Methods
The local character and the image of the station are important. In particular, the purpose of this study is to clarify the relationship between the physical properties of HTML Color Codes used in station squares and the cognitive characteristics of the color images. The methods used were one color analysis and two questionnaire surveys. The color analysis was conducted to extract the colors of the station square. The questionnaire survey was conducted to extract cognitive characteristics of color images.
3.Preliminary investigation
We conducted a survey of 18 station squares on the JR Biwako Line from Nagahama Station to Kusatsu Station. As an overall result, many grey colors were extracted. At the east exit of Omihachiman Station, reddish brown was identified as a characteristic color. This is used for the pavement in the station square. We inferred that the characteristic colors in the station square influence the image of the station.
4.Questionnaire 1
We investigated the color difference images of three stations: Omihachiman Station, Hikone Station, and Kusatsu Station. As a result, it was revealed that Hikone Station reflects the local mascot character.
The image of Omihachiman Station reflects the characteristics of the station square. The image of Kusatsu Station reflects the colors associated with the place name.
5.Questionnaire 2
We conducted a second questionnaire survey to identify trends regarding color image formation. The survey targeted 30 major stations across Japan, including stations close to tourist attractions and stations with distinctive names.
Brown and orange were extracted for the color image of Tokyo Station. A distinctive feature of Tokyo Station is the red brick exterior of the Marunouchi Station building. This shows a high degree of agreement with the colors extracted through the questionnaire survey. For this reason, the image of Tokyo Station is influenced by symbols such as the Marunouchi Station Building.
Blue is the most extracted color for the image of Universal City Station. This station is the closest to Universal Studios Japan (USJ). Blue is utilized as the brand image here. There is consistency between the color image and the theme color of USJ. The image of this station may be influenced by tourist spots.
Yellow is the most extracted for the color image of Funabashi Station. The colors match those used by the region's mascot, Funassyi. The color image of this station was influenced by the mascot character.
Pink is the most extracted for the color image of Sakurai Station. This is because of the place name. Contains Sakura, which has the image of pink color in Japan.
6. Conclusion
This study revealed four major trends in the formation of color images. First, there is a tendency for color images to be influenced by the symbols of the station square. The second is a tendency to be influenced by the colors used at tourist spots near stations. The third trend is the influence of mascot characters around stations. The fourth trend is that people’s perceptions are influenced by place names. There may be other trends that do not fall into these categories. The results of this study can be utilized in the design, shape and zones of station squares. In the future, we aim to conduct a more detailed analysis and apply the findings of this study to urban planning.