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A study on the impact of icon structural features in human-computer interface on visual search efficiency
Jisong Li1, Li Lin1, Mingqing Yang1
1School of Mechanical Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.
Ergonomics
|July 2, 2024
Summary
Horizontal structure icons (HSI) improve visual search efficiency the most, while enclosed structure icons (ESI) are least efficient. Understanding icon structure optimizes in-car user interface design.
Area of Science:
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Cognitive Psychology
- Visual Perception
Background:
- In-car user interfaces rely heavily on icons for information display.
- Optimizing icon design is crucial for driver safety and reducing cognitive load.
- Previous research has not fully explored the impact of specific structural features on icon search efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how different structural features of in-car user interface icons affect visual search efficiency.
- To categorize icons based on structural properties and analyze their performance.
- To provide data-driven recommendations for icon design in automotive environments.
Main Methods:
- Categorization of icons into four types: individual structure icons (ISI), enclosed structure icons (ESI), horizontal structure icons (HSI), and vertical structure icons (VSI).
- Conducting a controlled visual search experiment manipulating icon structure as the sole variable.
- Collecting behavioral data (response times, accuracy) and eye-tracking metrics from participants.
- Analyzing data using statistical methods like analysis of variance and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Icon structural features significantly impact visual search efficiency, with notable intergroup differences.
- Horizontal structure icons (HSI) demonstrated the highest visual search efficiency.
- Enclosed structure icons (ESI) exhibited the lowest visual search efficiency.
- Individual structure icons (ISI) showed faster response times but lower matching accuracy.
- Vertical structure icons (VSI) performed better than ESI but worse than ISI and HSI.
Conclusions:
- The structural characteristics of icons are critical determinants of visual search performance in automotive interfaces.
- Designing icons with horizontal structures can enhance user efficiency and potentially improve safety.
- The findings offer valuable insights for the optimization of icon design in complex visual environments like car dashboards.
