Book 'Ball'Managing Multimedia    
   
     
 

A set of icons

Mouse iconReading iconSummary iconFinger iconWeb icon

These are the set of icons used in the 3rd edition of our books. A general analysis of their features is given in Managing Multimedia - People and processes, Book 1, Chapter 8 and won't be repeated here. As the overall style of the books changed from that used in the first two editions, it was necessary to use a new set of icons. They were designed only for use in print - hence the black and white tones. But the offset, ragged, brushstroke-effect background fits well with the rest of the visual style of the books. However, the strength of the image is retained with the clear, bold lines of the actual iconic images and this helps with recognition of their functions.

In the books all except one are used near headings that re-inforce their meaning. From left to right we have ...

      1. Theory into practice
      2. Recommended reading
      3. Summary
      4. Project Manager's responsibilities
      5. Refer to the web

The Web icon is used in the books to encourage readers to look up specific features that are found on this web site.

Compare this set of icons with the ones below that were used in earlier editions of the book.

Arrow Icon Book Icon Bullets Icon FInger Icon CD Icon

Arrow Icon Book Icon Bullets Icon FInger Icon CD Icon

In the book editions 1 and 2, they appeared as black and white although they figured in colour on the companion CD (Note: Editions 1 and 2 had an accompanying CD whereas Edition 3 has this web site). Their design was influenced by their primary use - non-interactive books, but they exhibit some features that are relevant in interactive environments as well.

The designer, Gary Weston, emphasised the contrast of the black and white colours with strong clear lines. They show a consistency in look and feel particularly because of the diagonal colour switch. They are easily identifiable. Each has a stylised visual metaphor that indicates their meaning.

      1. Theory into practice
      2. Recommended reading
      3. Summary
      4. Project Manager's responsibilities
      5. Refer to the CD

When icons are used in interactive applications, cohesion and easy recognition of visual features help the users navigate faster. They can also create a sense of harmony and satisfaction. If they had been used in an interactive environment it is likely that the colour tones would have been dictated by the overall design colours for the particular purpose. But here, the colours can be very different because the icons are not used in a colour context.

The stylisation in the icons shows the identification with you, the readers, as a specialist audience. Some presuppose in subtle ways that you have a certain amount of computer literacy, and think in certain ways. The Summary icon not only stylises bullet points but also changes their usual horizontal position. This presupposes that you are comfortable with bullets or the equivalent and that you can adjust for the angle shift. The Responsibilities icon links the concept of someone having their finger on the button - or being in control, a decision-maker. The button shape is reminiscent of a key on a computer keyboard. The Theory into Practice icon uses an arrow to denote direction, and the split format of the icon helps the idea of change or movement from one stance to another. The arrows also reinforce that this is not a linear action. There is interplay between theory and practice as people move between them. In this case the reader moves from the book to try something out then comes back to the theory and so on.

All the icons are based on the designs of buttons, as shown by the frame around them, and this gives them their integrity as well as reinforcing the subject matter of interactive media. The diagonal split between the reversed images will trigger some people to think of negatives and therefore photography - this gives yet another level of meaning to a medium that is used in multimedia. So there are various triggers within the design to consciously and subconsciously link the icons to their overall purpose and readership as well as their specific one.

   
mini ballBook 1 Chapter 8 - Interface design