Using icons to find documents: simplicity is critical

A common task at almost any computer interface is that of searchingfordocuments,whichGUIstypicallyrepresentwith icons. Oddly, little research has been done on the processes underlyingiconsearch. Thispaperoutlinesthefactorsinvolved in icon search and proposes a model of the process. An experiment was conducted which suggests that the proposed modelissound,andthatthemostimportantfactorinsearching for files is the type of icons used. In general, simple icons (those discriminable based on a few features) seem to help users,whilecomplexiconsarenobetterthansimplerectangles.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1993
• Where: CHI
• Authors: Michael D. Byrne
• Keywords: CHI 1993, Human Computer Interaction, Icons, Searchingfordocuments, WhichGUIstypicallyrepresentwith Icons