The effects of graphical interface design characteristics on human–computer interaction task efficiency

Abstract

The main objective of this paper was to investigate the effects of a computer screen interface design and its related geometrical characteristics of 36 graphical objects on a user's task efficiency. A total of 490 subjects took part in laboratory experiments that focused on the direct manipulation of a visual dialogue between a user and a computer. The subjects were asked to select an object from among a group of items randomly placed on the computer screen that were visible exclusively during the visual search process. A model expressing the mean object acquisition time as a function of graphical object size and the configuration was developed and statistically validated. The model showed an influence of geometrical design characteristics of the graphical objects (icons) and their groupings (icon structures) on the observed task efficiency. The reported results can be used at those stages of a software lifecycle that concentrate on prototyping, designing, and implementing graphical solutions for the efficient graphical user-computer interface.

The Effects of Panel Location, Target Size, and Gender on Efficiency in Simple Direct Manipulation Tasks

“…In the study of Kalbach & Bosenick (2004), the menu location factor did not significantly influence the mean acquisition times either. The inconsistencies also exist, when the visual search of simple graphical objects is concerned (Michalski et al, 2006). The prior studies in the HCI field discussed mostly left and right upper corner locations (McCarthy et al, 2003;Kalbach & Bosenick, 2004;Michalski et al, 2006) and other positions were rarely examined.…”

“…The inconsistencies also exist, when the visual search of simple graphical objects is concerned (Michalski et al, 2006). The prior studies in the HCI field discussed mostly left and right upper corner locations (McCarthy et al, 2003;Kalbach & Bosenick, 2004;Michalski et al, 2006) and other positions were rarely examined. Among the works related to other than left and right screen locations of searched targets there are investigations of Campbell & Maglio (1999), Schaik & Ling (2001), and Pearson & Schaik (2003).…”

“…Although currently there exist many other methods, the direct manipulation is still one of the most popular, especially among graphical interfaces. The study described in this publication may be situated in the trend of research related both to visual search and visually controlled motor activity (compare Grobelny et al, 2005;Michalski et al, 2006;Michalski & Grobelny, 2008). This area is a combination of the traditional Fitts' approach (Fitts, 1954;Fitts & Peterson, 1964), in which only the movement time related to graphical object selection is taken into account, and the situation where the time of visual search for a particular target among the group of distractors is of a main concern.…”

Use of HCI Components into IT Courses

“…Invited guests to these final presentations could be business people in the electronics industry, mobile Internet Service Provider (ISP), content specialists, venture capitalists, and intellectual property lawyers [18]. Venture capitalists could judge and assess the projects of the graduates and corporate sponsors could assist students to bring their creations to the market.…”

“…This understanding of human factors improves the design and implementation of systems that support the HCI principles. As per Michalski, Grobelny, and Karwowski [18], the course focuses on HCI theory and principles of graphic design and web-based topology.…”