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When Does a Difference Make a Difference? A Snapshot on Global Icon Comprehensibility

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Human-Computer Interaction. Interaction Platforms and Techniques (HCI 2007)

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Abstract

Global markets require global solutions, especially in user interface design. There are differences between cultures – but do those differences call for different icon designs? This paper provides a snapshot on icon comprehensibility in China, the US and Germany. The icon set was derived of an actual product to enable valid results. A web-based study with 135 participants from China, the US and Germany was conducted. Icon recognition rates among the Chinese participants were significantly lower than among US and German participants. Still, the mean rating for all three countries was above 69% and thus far removed from guesswork. Practical implications for global icon design are discussed based on these findings.

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Julie A. Jacko

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Auer, S., Dick, E. (2007). When Does a Difference Make a Difference? A Snapshot on Global Icon Comprehensibility. In: Jacko, J.A. (eds) Human-Computer Interaction. Interaction Platforms and Techniques. HCI 2007. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 4551. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73107-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73107-8_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-73106-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-73107-8

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