Abstract
Since the inception of computers and the World Wide Web, the formulation of an effective Graphical User Interface (GUI) has been the most challenging task. To enhance overall interactivity, an ensemble of icons and symbols has been arrived
at to complement the language-dependent textual prompts. This seemingly simple, language-independent iconography has evolved after years of thorough research and meticulous user studies. However, the process of formulating an icon for any specific function has always been fraught with risks, as the interpretation of icons can pose difficulties. While some users may decode them easily, others might find them confusing. People belonging to myriad walks of society, culture, national and regional identities see and comprehend differently. In today’s time, although thousands of icons and symbols exist, the confusion and complications are increasing because of the varied understanding of the end user and the constant dynamism of virtual systems. The genesis of this research is deep-rooted in re-examining the modern-day digital iconography. Has any common-to-all understanding evolved globally? Are some icons more popular than others? If so, then what are the reasons for their wide acceptance? Are the existing icons sufficient for our present-day needs, and are they adequate to address our future demands? This research investigates the iconographic efficacy of 28 commonly used functions and their equivalent web interface icons through user studies involving 76 digitally literate individuals aged between 18–65 years from contemporary urban India. The findings help us not only to decode the underlying complex relationships but also to understand why some icons trigger an immediate visual connect while others simply fail to click.
