ABSTRACT
Icons are small pictorial symbols used on graphic user interfaces (GUIs) to represent certain functions of the system. They are an essential part of any system with a GUI (i.e., windows, icons, menus, pointers [WIMP] interaction). The benefits of using well-designed icons are many. They can be an effective, nonverbal way to represent visual and spatial concepts. They foster immediate recognition by the user and aid in recall, reducing the user’s reading time. They also help to efficiently use screen space. Horton (1994) stated that using icons can reduce the need for text translation. All of these can be of benefit to a product that is intended to be deployed globally (Horton, 1994).
