The effects of visual design of progress indicators on time perception and emotion

Computer users frequently have to wait. Well-designed progress indicators can improve the experience of passive waiting. This study examined how visual design features of progress indicators affect users' time perception and emotional responses.

Five studies examined indicator shape (Study 1), contour (Study 2), color form (Study 3), motion direction (Study 4), and concretization (Study 5). Time perception was assessed using duration estimates and 7-point ratings of perceived speed, while emotional responses were measured using an adapted Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM).

No significant differences were found between the bar and circle indicators. Circular contours yielded shorter duration estimates, faster perceived speed, and more positive emotional ratings than square contours. Progressive transparency change increased perceived speed compared with static color. Motion direction affected duration estimates and perceived-speed ratings, with top-to-bottom motion differing from right-to-left and bottom-to-top motion. The emotional main effect was significant, but the pairwise emotional contrast did not remain significant after Bonferroni correction. Higher concretization increased perceived-speed ratings and improved emotional evaluations, but did not affect duration estimates.

These findings show that the effects of progress-indicator design vary across outcome measures: visual features that shorten perceived duration do not necessarily improve emotional responses. We discuss the implications for interface design.