Metaphoric Displays for Dynamic Tasks

Abstract : This study considered how to organize displays so that they could be easily used during dynamic task conditions. Use of computer-driven displays has created potential for information overload and clutter. In periods of time pressure, it is critical that operators be able to quickly locate relevant items of information. Previous research has shown that metaphors could provide organizing principles to improve the intelligibility of displays. We found that metaphor is used by designers of software, interfaces, and display formats on an ad hoc basis. Organizing metaphors are rarely used systematically to tie parts of the display together, and principles or rules to guide the use of metaphor are lacking. When used systematically, metaphor can be a powerful tool for organizing both the designer's task and the operator's use of the display. Analyses of the information collected showed that visual metaphors fell into three classes: descriptive metaphors, pictorial metaphors, and organizing metaphors. We identified several task types requiring metaphoric displays: presentation of current state, presentation of dynamic and anticipated states, sensor condition/control, monitoring key processes, actions/controls, routine performance, and distributed decision making. We describe a logic for the use of organizing metaphors.