Offering a great experience through ICONS.
Micah Bowers (Micah's resume) exemplifies such an experience by comparing the user experience with the pleasure of driving on a freeway: You are traveling quietly through a beautiful landscape (for example, going from Squimish to Vancouver) and suddenly you are faced with a problem that could have been avoided if the dashboard icon had worked perfectly. The information needs to be clear and objective. It is not enough to be beautiful or bold. If the user is unable to understand the message, know that it is the design's fault. Today we have many applications available, and each day that passes a larger number joins what already exists. That is, if a user needs to place a food order on the cell phone, that interactivity needs to be efficient. This is a fact. In my opinion, the best way to understand how to improve the expressiveness of an icon is in the domain of Semiotics.
Semiotics is the study of signs, which consist of all elements that represent some meaning and meaning for the human being, encompassing verbal and nonverbal languages. Semiotics seeks to understand how human beings can interpret things, especially the environment that surrounds them. In this way, he studies how the individual attributes meaning to everything that is around him. The objects of study of semiotics are extremely broad, consisting of any type of social sign, for example, in the field of visual arts, music, cinema, photography, gestures, religion, fashion, etc.
In short, almost everything that exists can be analyzed from semiotics, since for something to exist in the human mind, this thing needs to have a mental representation of the real object. This condition already makes such an object, for example, a sign that can be interpreted semiotically.
According to historical records, semiotics originated in Ancient Greece, but only developed in the early 20th century, with the work of some researchers, such as the master of linguistics and philosopher Ferdinand de Saussure (1857-1913), and Charles Peirce ( 1839-1914), considered the "pope of Semiotics".
Semiotics and Communication
Semiotic studies are intrinsically related to Communication, whether verbal or non-verbal. Because semiotics is the "study of meanings," it is essential to form the elements necessary for understanding among people in particular groups.
Through semiotics we are able to interpret words that form a linguistic text and assign a meaning to the respective sequences of words, for example. In the case of non-verbal language, signs are also endowed with specific meanings, such as traffic signs, movements, sounds, smells, etc.
Through communication, humans and animals share different information among themselves, making the act of communicating an activity essential to life in society. From the beginning of time, communication was of vital importance, being a tool of integration, instruction, mutual exchange and development. The communication process consists of the transmission of information between a sender and a receiver that decodes (interprets) a certain message.
We need to be concerned about offering better features to help the user of computers, cell phones, games and other platforms continue to enjoy life to the fullest. The best design is one that does not interfere with the pleasure routine of those using the interface. Whatever it is.
Isidore
Original post in TopTal:
Icon Usability and Design Best Practices
