Table 3.

Final 14 coding categories with brief descriptions and a sample quote for each category.

Category	Description
Formal artistic properties	Any reference to the formal artistic properties of the artwork such as line, composition or style. “I don’t really like how it’s set out.”
Color	Any reference to the colors used in the artwork. This could be simple naming or counting of colors (or any reference to color as a means to create, form or express in the artwork). “Because I like all the yellow bits over there.”
Artist	Any reference to the person who created the artwork either directly or indirectly. This could include reference to the artist as an intentional creator of the artwork or to the technical skill, ability or proficiency of the artist. “I like how they have made the water go back and make the shadows of the dog and not just a squiggle.”
Subject matter	Any simple reference to, or statement of, the content or subject matter of the artwork including objects, events or activities that are formally represented. “Because it’s got fish in it. I don’t like fish.”
Associations	Any justification where a connection or link is made between the artwork and the participants own personal life, experience or memories. “Because it reminds me of one of my friends. It actually looks really like her. She giggles a lot and is laughing all the time.”
Understanding/Interpretation	Any reference to comprehending (or lack of comprehension) of the artwork or any aspects of it, or any attempt to try to interpret the meaning of the artwork or to build an explanatory narrative for it. “I don’t know what it’s supposed to be”.
Mood/Emotion	Any reference to feeling, state of mind or prevailing tone of the artwork and its subject matter, or relating to the viewer or artist. “Because she looks happy.”
Interest	Any reference to basic interest in the artwork, or the artwork commanding attention or attracting curiosity. “It looks quite interesting.”
Function	Any suggestion on the practical usage of the artwork. “Well, I would see it on display but not at an art gallery.”
Comparison	Any preferences which are justified through comparison (for example, to other artworks in the stimuli set, or to previous scores given by the participant). “It’s good but it’s not the best of all the drawings.”
History/Culture	Any preferences which are explained or justified by relating the artwork or anything in it to culture or history. “That’s like in the building where the earthquake struck Kefalonia.”
Perceptual fluency	Any reference to the ease, difficulty or speed at which the information in the artwork can be processed. “You can see what it is at a glance.”
Basic liking	Any basic reference to liking or disliking the picture without elaboration or reference to any other theme. “Because I like it.”
Other	Any preferences given which are not accounted for by the above themes. “I don’t have a reason I just think it’s three.”