I have an Icon fetish that is disturbingly wrong. In that I collect them, horde them and would happily spend Microsoft’s good hard earned money on as many of them as I can find – if allowed.
Yet, what makes Icon’s so special? in that why do they enhance an applications user interface to the point where it almost is lost without them. Why does Microsoft and Apple spend a lot of money and time ensuring that menu navigation and icon’s are done in a manner that’s not only attractive to the eye, but enhance a users experience?
Well, I decided to ask our UX folks, the same folks whom chose Icons for our operating systems, software applications and so on. I had one intent, to get to the bottom of this whole Icon business and more to see where Icon’s can play a role in tomorrows RIA. RIA is going to embrace the icon market, something I have now doubt and so with this, onto the top 10 questions with Frank Bisono & Brittnie Hervey (UX demi-gods).
from scbarnes more here