Emergent features and perceptual objects: re-examining fundamental principles in analogical display design

Abstract

Two sets of design principles for analogical visual displays, based on the concepts of emergent features and perceptual objects, are described. An interpretation of previous empirical findings for three displays (bar graph, polar graphic, alphanumeric) is provided from both perspectives. A fourth display (configural coordinate) was designed using principles of ecological interface design (i.e. direct perception). An experiment was conducted to evaluate performance (accuracy and latency of state identification) with these four displays. Numerous significant effects were obtained and a clear rank ordering of performance emerged (from best to worst): configural coordinate, bar graph, alphanumeric and polar graphic. These findings are consistent with principles of design based on emergent features; they are inconsistent with principles based on perceptual objects. Some limitations of the configural coordinate display are discussed and a redesign is provided.

Abstract

Practitioner Summary: Principles of ecological interface design, which emphasise the quality of very specific mappings between domain, display and observer constraints, are described; these principles are applicable to the design of all analogical graphical displays.

Keywords:

• cognitive systems engineering
• analogical visual displays
• ecological interface design
• system state identification
• direct perception
• emergent features
• perceptual objects
• decision support
• semantic mapping
• display design

Acknowledgements

The study reported in this article was completed in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Science degree for Jerred Holt. The authors would like to thank Bruce Coury for his helpful assistance and detailed comments regarding the original study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.