ABSTRACT

The design of graphical user interfaces has been evolving from skeuomorph interfaces – which use elements that mimic the aesthetics and functionality of their real-world counterparts – to minimalist and flat designs. Despite the growing popularity of these new design approaches, they can be challenging for older adults who experience a decline in visual and cognitive abilities. Still, little is known about user performance, aesthetic perception, and preference of older adults, particularly in comparison to younger users and traditional skeuomorph interfaces. In this paper, we examine the performance and aesthetic perception of older (65–77 years old) and younger (20–40) adults with three design approaches: skeuomorph, skeuominimalist, and flat design. Results show flat design is either slower or less accurate than traditional skeuomorph interfaces for older adults across three tasks: visual search, identifying clickable objects, and multiple page navigation. Younger adults were less susceptible to performance differences between design approaches, but still subject to ‘click uncertainty’ with flat interfaces. Skeuominimalism did not show clear performance benefits over flat design or skeuomorphism, while the latter reduced the performance gap between age groups. Finally, younger adults preferred the simplicity of skeuominimalism, while older adults preferred skeuomorph interfaces because of the perceived usability, beauty, and trustiness.

摘要

图形用户界面的设计已经从 skeuomorph 界面（使用模仿现实世界对应物的美学和功能的元素）演变为极简主义和扁平化设计。尽管这些新设计方法越来越受欢迎，但对于视觉和认知能力下降的老年人来说，它们可能具有挑战性。尽管如此，人们对老年人的用户表现、审美感知和偏好知之甚少，尤其是与年轻用户和传统的拟物化界面相比。在本文中，我们使用三种设计方法检查了老年人（65-77 岁）和年轻（20-40 岁）成年人的表现和审美感知：拟物化、拟物极简主义和扁平化设计。结果表明，在三个任务中，扁平化设计比针对老年人的传统 skeuomorph 界面更慢或更不准确：视觉搜索、识别可点击对象和多页导航。年轻人不太容易受到设计方法之间性能差异的影响，但仍然受到平面界面的“点击不确定性”的影响。与平面设计或拟物主义相比，拟物极简主义没有表现出明显的性能优势，而后者缩小了年龄组之间的性能差距。最后，年轻人更喜欢 skeuominimalism 的简单性，而老年人更喜欢 skeuomorph 界面，因为感知到的可用性、美观和可信赖性。年轻人不太容易受到设计方法之间性能差异的影响，但仍然受到平面界面的“点击不确定性”的影响。与平面设计或拟物主义相比，拟物极简主义没有表现出明显的性能优势，而后者缩小了年龄组之间的性能差距。最后，年轻人更喜欢 skeuominimalism 的简单性，而老年人更喜欢 skeuomorph 界面，因为感知到的可用性、美观和可信赖性。年轻人不太容易受到设计方法之间性能差异的影响，但仍然受到平面界面的“点击不确定性”的影响。与平面设计或拟物主义相比，拟物极简主义没有表现出明显的性能优势，而后者缩小了年龄组之间的性能差距。最后，年轻人更喜欢 skeuominimalism 的简单性，而老年人更喜欢 skeuomorph 界面，因为感知到的可用性、美观和可信赖性。