The Effect of Visual Design in IA Products: A Case Study of MP3 Players on Computer Display

Abstract: In this post-PC era, there are many IA (Information Appliance) products entering into our daily lives. The way of use in these products might be very different from our past experiences. For example, their man-machine interface might be simulated virtually on the computer display rather than in physical buttons and knobs. Many anecdotes reveal that people have difficulties in using such interface. One of the reason for the difficulties might be the interface failed to provide users with proper visual design. This study aims to explore the effect of visual design in the use of IA products. Three MP3 players on computer display and one CD player were tested. Think-aloud protocol analysis technique was used to solicit respondents ’ mental responses on the tests. The tests were recorded by a digital video camera for content analysis. Interviews were also carried out to collect respondents ’ comments on the use of interfaces. By synthesizing the above results, the respondents ’ strategies toward the use of the tested products are identified as: 1) referring to their past experience, 2) trial and error, 3) searching auxiliary texts on the display, 4) looking for visual cues. Some design principles for improving the ease of use are also proposed: 1) use past experiences 2) allow trial and error 3) proper complexity 4) providing understandable icons 5) providing captions 6) providing visual cues 7) grouping controls