Representing dynamic mouse commands in static displays: Representing graphical symbols
Publication Year:
2000
Citation
190. Ornan, R. N., & Wogalter, M. S. (2000). Representing dynamic mouse commands in static displays: Representing graphical symbols. Proceedings of the International Ergonomics Association & the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Congress, 44 (4), 330-333.
Abstract
Participantsused either a Liker! scale or a ratio scale to rate their preferences for graphical symbols illustratingthe mouse motions of click, double-click,drag, click and drag, and left click. Through an iterativedesign process, symbols were selected and modified as they were rated. After several iterations, 54 participantsevaluatedthe accumulatedsymbol set. In general,participantspreferredsymbolsthat were less abstractand more literal representationsof the intendedmouse actions; this is contraryto how these commandshave been illustratedin printed computerdocumentation. Intermediateabstract symbols were rated almost as high as the literal symbols,and had the advantageof illustratingsome mouse commands that could not be easily created with a literal symbol. Several design recommendationsfor symbols in computerinstructionsand symbolsfor other purposesare offered.
Publication Details
- Source
- Proceedings of the International Ergonomics Association & the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Congress, 44 (4), 330-333
Publication Type
Conference Papers / Proceedings