The effect of pictogram-based interface design on human-computer performance

    Authors

    L. A. Miller;K. M. Stanney

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Int. J. Hum.-Comput. Interact.

    Keywords

    METAPHOR; SYSTEMS; Computer Science, Cybernetics; Ergonomics

    Abstract

    Metaphors are commonly used in human-computer interface design. These metaphoric designs, however, often do not extend beyond the surface-level interface. It stands to reason that a more valid test of the benefits of such context-based designs would be derived from an analysis of metaphors that more closely approximate human-environment interaction. In this study, the influence of pictogram-based versus symbolic interface designs on human-computer performance was empirically evaluated. First, a Goals, Operators, Methods, Selection rules analysis was performed to determine how closely each of the designs assimilated the actual procedures an individual would use in real life. As expected, the symbolic design was found to break from the analogy at an earlier stage than the pictogram-based design, thus providing impetus for empirical testing. Novice and expert participants were given a set of computer-based tasks to perform using both designs. Dependent variables were performance time, total number of steps to task completion, and subjective reports of workload. The performance results indicated that the novices significantly benefited from the use of the pictogram-based design in terms of performance time and efficiency. In addition, the performance of experts was significantly more efficient while using the pictogram-based design. These results provide empirical evidence to support the current trend in pictorial human-computer interface designs.

    Journal Title

    International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction

    Volume

    9

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-1997

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    119

    Last Page

    131

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000071513600002

    ISSN

    1044-7318

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