A Semiotic Modelof

User-Interface Metaphor

Pippin BarrRobert Biddle, James Noble

User-Interface Metaphor

You can take advantage of people's knowledge of the world around them by using metaphors to convey concepts and

features of your application. Use metaphors involving concrete, familiar ideas and make the metaphors plain, so that users have a set of expectations to apply to computer

environments. (Apple Computer Inc., 1992)

Familiar metaphors provide a direct and intuitive interface to user tasks. By allowing users to transfer their knowledge

and experience, metaphors make it easier to predict and learn the behaviors of software-based representations.

(Microsoft Corporation, 1995)

The Peircean Triad

Eco’s Model Reader

To make his text communicative, the author has to assume that the ensemble of codes he relies upon is the same as that shared by his possible reader. The author has thus to foresee a model of the possible reader (hereafter Model Reader) supposedly able to deal interpretatively with the expressions in the same way as the author deals generatively with them. (Eco, 1979, p.7)[Our emphasis.]

Unlimited Semiosis

A Semiotic Model of Metaphor:Pierce, Lakoff & Johnson

A Semiotic Model of a User-Interface Sign

The Document Metaphor

A Semiotic Model of User-Interface Metaphor

The Parts of a User-Interface Metaphor

MetaphorMetaphorical EntailmentsDesigner’s InterpretantRepresentamenUI Metaphorical EntailmentsUser's Interpretant

Metaphor and Metaphorical Entailments

The data is an object. The data can be written on. The data can be read. The data contains text, and possibly images and graphs, etc. The data can be ripped. The data can be typed up. The data is usually on white paper. The data can be photocopied. The data can be written in pencil or pen or ink. The data can (sometimes) be edited using twink or an eraser. The data contains information. The data can be set on fire. The data can be picked up and moved from place to place. The data can be thrown in a trashcan. The data can give you a paper-cut. …

UI Metaphorical Entailments

The data is an object. The data can be written on. The data can be read. The data contains text, and possibly images and graphs, etc. The data can be typed up. The data is usually on white paper. The data contains information. The data can be picked up and moved from place to place. The data can be thrown in a trashcan. …

The Relations of the User-Interface Metaphor

Definition Metaphor Interpretation Metaphor Match Realisation and RefinementRepresentation User Interpretation Metaphor Success

Further Work

Use of the semiotic model in usability testing(exploration: heuristics)

Application of the semiotic model to the design process(exploration: icons)

Detailed case study of metaphor some particular software(exploration: MS Office “Project Gallery”)

A Semiotic Modelof

User-Interface Metaphor

Pippin BarrRobert Biddle, James Noble