Use of Landmarks to Design Large and Efficient Command Interfaces

Abstract

Rapid command selection is a priority for the user interface designers. Spatial memory is an effective way to improve the selection performance, since it allows users to make quick selection decisions from the memory rather than relying on the slow visual search. Spatial learning in the real world leverages landmarks available in the environment, but user interfaces often lack in visual landmarks. As a result, when the number of commands increases, remembering locations and efficient command selection become difficult. To improve the efficiency of memory-based user interfaces, I am investigating the use of landmarks in different spatially-stable interfaces. With a series of exemplar interfaces, I am trying to exploit the interface and human factors related to users' spatial knowledge. I along with my colleagues developed a new memory-based technique -- HandMark menu that uses the hands and fingers as landmarks, and helps users to remember commands placed between and around them. My current research investigates the use of both natural and artificial landmarks in spatial interfaces, and their effects in rapid spatial memory development.