Title
Earcons and icons: their structure and common design principles
Abstract
In this article we examine earcons, which are audio messages used in the user-computer interface to provide information and feedback to the user about computer entities. (Earcons include messages and functions, as well as states and labels.) We identify some design principles that are common to both visual symbols and auditory messages, and discuss the use of representational and abstract icons and earcons. We give some examples of audio patterns that may be used to design modules for earcons, which then may be assembled into larger groupings called families. The modules are single pitches or rhythmicized sequences of pitches called motives. The families are constructed about related motives that serve to identify a family of related messages. Issues concerned with learning and remembering earcons are discussed.
Year
DOI
Venue
1989
10.1207/s15327051hci0401_1
Human computer interaction
Keywords
DocType
Volume
computer entity,larger grouping,common design principle,abstract icon,related message,design principle,audio message,related motive,auditory message,rhythmicized sequence,audio pattern
Journal
4
Issue
Citations 
PageRank 
1
351
70.80
References 
Authors
6
3
Search Limit
100351
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Meera M. Blattner148195.22
Denise A. Sumikawa235170.80
Robert M. Greenberg335170.80