Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
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Icons with situations
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Icons with objects
Chinese
Hypotheses.
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Icons presenting situations are more intuitive than those containing objects.
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Icons presenting images are more intelligible than those containing charac-
ters.
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Icons presenting objects with a description are more understandable than
those without a description.
Results summary.
The most popular icons were those containing characters and images (45%), followed
by icons presenting situations (35%). Icons containing objects came third (30%). The
main reason for choosing icons with characters and images was their ease of use.
When a picture was not intuitive, the characters would help. The icons with scenes
were praised for being concise, self-explanatory, and usable even for novice users.
Icons with objects were attractive because they depicted their contents well.
Czech
Results summary.
The most popular icons were those containing characters and images (32%), followed
by icons presenting images or symbols (29%), and icons presenting objects (19%).
Characters with images were found to be the most understandable and accessible for
first-time users. Image icons can be faster to use for experienced users, but can be
cryptic. Objects share most of the features of images, that is, they must be as simple
and as clear as possible to be usable.
Discussion/conclusion.
The first hypothesis was supported by the results. In the Chinese sample, icons pre-
senting situations were regarded as easier to understand and more practical. However,
the difference between the two was not very significant (only 5%). The second hypoth-
esis was not supported by the results. Although images (or symbols) were regarded as
more attractive than characters, they would often lack a clear meaning for the users.
The combination of images and characters obtained the best results in the study, in
both the interviewed groups. The Czech sample preferred image icons to those pre-
senting situations, in contrast with the Chinese results. Object icons came third in
both of the groups.
42) An icon attribute shows additional features of the object.
Chinese
Hypothesis.
There is a close similarity between sequential information structure in language and
horizontal structure in visual composition. Verb (pointer index) and adverb (“+” sign)
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