40 inventive principles / #32
#32 Color changes
What it says
- Change the color of an object or its surroundings.
- Change how transparent the object or its surroundings are.
- Use colored additives or markers to see things that are hard to see.
Examples
- Software
- Color-coded status and diff highlighting.
- Business
- Visual boards that show work state at a glance.
- Engineering
- Temperature-sensitive paint that changes color when hot.
- Everyday life
- Color-coded keys or folders.
Where the matrix suggests it
The classic contradiction matrix suggests Color changes in 147 of its 1,248 filled cells. Most often for these conflicts:
- Improving Length of moving object worsens Illumination intensity
- Improving Length of stationary object worsens Measurement accuracy
- Improving Area of stationary object worsens Reliability
- Improving Speed worsens Ease of operation
- Improving Shape worsens Manufacturing precision
- Improving Shape worsens Ease of operation
- Improving Stability of the object's composition worsens Illumination intensity
- Improving Stability of the object's composition worsens Power