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Other... 5.0%
One column 10.0%
T-layout 15.0%
Two column 15.0%
Central 15.0%
Matrix 5.0%
hree column 35.0%
(a) Chinese respondents
Two column 15.0%
Central 20.0%
Matrix 20.0%
hree column 45.0%
(b) Czech respondents
FIGURE 8.24
Layout preferences.
the center, auxiliary information in the margin. It is traditional and usable. Central
layout was chosen for its possibility to structure information as center and margin.
Matrix layout was the favorite, because of its ability to structure information without
clutter. Two layouts can concentrate the user's attention and structure information for
navigation and content. (See Figure 8.24(b).)
Discussion/conclusion.
On the whole, the hypotheses were supported by the results. All of the layouts allowing
for a central composition (three-column, T-layout, one-column, central) gained major
support among the respondents. However, we could not assess the preference for the
central composition (present in Asian art and culture, i.e., a mandala) vs. the triptych
composition (known in the West from art and religion). Also, even though the grid-
based layout gained small support, we could not verify the hypothesis that a grid-free
(or free-flow) layout would be easier to use than the former one. The sequence of
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