Colour Spectrum´s of Opinion: An Information Visualisation Interface for Representing Degrees of Emotion in Real Time

In this paper we present an information visualisation interface that enables a user to input a real-time continuous flow of their predominant emotion incorporating degrees of uncertainty relative to other choices. The novel equilateral triangle-based interface allows users to express opinions on temporal media presentations such as television advertisements, video and musical compositions. The continuous flow of information generated by the interface is mapped into a colour spectrum which reveals a user´s developing opinion of the presentation. Such a colour spectrum not only provides a visual snapshot to enhance statistical interpretations of user input but also provides valuable insight into when, how and with what degree of certainty opinions were developed and changed over time. The real-time emotional spectrum tool (REST) is being developed to answer a need in the commercial research market. It is intended for use in gathering opinions from online audiences