Icon Perception Research
Thesis research on skeuomorphic vs. flat icons in user interfaces and their impact on user comprehension
Role
Interaction Design Intern & Thesis Student
Duration
6 months
Year
2014
Company
Verisure
Services
User Research • Icon Design • Usability Testing • Academic Research • Interface Design
Challenge
Investigate how different icon styles (skeuomorphic vs. flat design) affect new users' ability to understand and interact with digital interfaces, contributing to evidence-based design decisions during the industry's transition to flat design.
Process
Conducted extensive literature review on icon perception and visual cognition theories
Designed controlled experiments comparing skeuomorphic and flat icon recognition
Recruited and tested diverse user groups to measure icon comprehension and task completion
Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data to identify patterns in user behavior
Documented findings and design recommendations for Verisure's interface design team
Presented research findings to academic and industry stakeholders
Mobile & Responsive Design
Research specifically addressed icon scalability and recognition across different screen sizes, providing insights for responsive icon design in mobile and desktop interfaces.
Outcome & Impact
Delivered comprehensive thesis research that contributed to Verisure's icon design strategy and broader industry understanding of icon perception. Research findings informed best practices for icon design in security and smart home interfaces.
