The effects of layout types, visual features and text labels on icon visual search performance

In operational tasks involving cognitive processes and visual guided pointing activities, this paper investigated the effects of icon layout types, visual features and text labels on the performance of visual search through eye tracking technology, taking the layout types of the icon (single row, double row, matrix and circular), visual features (round icon, round inverse colour icon, chamfered square icon, chamfered square inverse colour icon and borderless icon) and text labels (with or without text labels) as experimental variables. The task completion time, the total duration of fixation in AOI (Area of Interest) and the number of fixations in AOI were statistically analysed. Experimental results revealed that the combination of without text label, matrix layout and chamfered square icons could help improve interaction efficiency. The research results were helpful in providing a basis for designers to improve the usability of human-computer interfaces during the prototype design stage of software and other related fields.