The potential of the visual image at the interface

This article shows how the study of graphic interfacing has great potential for being an important applied domain for testing, evaluating, and implementing basic cognitive theories. It also describes various applications in which the inclusion of computer graphics can be beneficial while being inappropriate for others. Emphasis is placed on the need for future developments to be based on psychological and ergonomic principles in order that the merit of computer graphics is not based purely on cosmetic grounds. Concomitantly, it is argued that academic research needs also to continue refining our understanding of human performance and subsequently to direct these findings into a set of practical guidelines for designers. If this approach is taken, we may indeed find ourselves in an Information Age in which the visual image is seen to be playing a much more prominent role. In particular, the situation may arise in which tasks previously performed only through difficult and tedious programming language will become more accessible through easy-to-use and enjoyable graphic interfaced systems. The ultimate challenge, however, will be to see how the combination of visual and other forms of symbolic communication can be utilized at the interface, in such a way that a variety of computer systems for a diversity of applications can be designed that will be readily accessible to a greater number. Ours is the visual age. We are bombarded with images from morning till night. —Gombrich (1982)