Derivation and evaluation of 3D menu designs for Smartphones

Kyungdoh Kim, Purdue University

Abstract

Menu systems have been key components in modern graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and there has been a lot of research about menu design. Review of previous menu design studies for human-computer interaction suggests that menu design guidelines for computers and mobile phones need to be reappraised, especially with regard to the use of 3D interfaces in cell phones. The main objective of this dissertation is to propose an overall framework for 3D menu interfaces in cell phones. The second objective is to propose guidelines for 3D menu design in cell phones. Four main factors that influence the performance of menu retrieval tasks in cell phones are included in the proposed model: presentation type, number of items, task complexity, and menu type. For these purposes, three experiments were conducted to determine which of three types of 3D menus is best, which of two types of 2D menu is better than the other, and conditions under which the best 3D menu is better than a 2D menu. Experiment 1 used a nested factorial design with an iPhone simulator to investigate which of three 3D menus (collapsible cylindrical trees, carousel, or revolving stage) are most applicable for small displays. Performance was best with the revolving stage menu, and there was a non-significant tendency for it to be rated as preferred by the participants. In Experiment 2, an iPhone was used to determine which of two types of 2D menu is better and a nested factorial design was used as well. Even though the differences were not significant, an overview menu tended to show better performance and preference scores than a text menu that required scrolling. The overview menu was chosen for Experiment 3 as the control alternative for comparison with the 3D menu because it provides alphabetical icons as 3D menus do. Lastly, Experiment 3 used a nested factorial design with an iPhone to investigate when the revolving stage menu is better than the overview menu. The 3D menu was preferred by users at high breadth levels, and the 2D menu showed better performance than the 3D menu with low task complexity. From the experimental outcomes, a theoretically based link among the four components of cell phone menu design was identified. Furthermore, theoretically and practically based guidelines for the design of menus for small displays were developed.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Proctor, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Industrial engineering|Health care management

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