Towards Cross-Cultural Design of Interfaces:Preferences in Interface Design Between Japanese and European Users

摘要

In an experimental study, cultural differences in preferences of interface layouts between Japanese and Europeans were examined. Participants could freely arrange a selection of buttons on an interface and layouts were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Participants preferred symmetrical layouts with horizontally arranged buttons. Data suggest that participants considered usability as well as visual aesthetics in their layouts. Main differences were found in the choice of prominent buttons and their position in the layout. Furthermore, differences in way of thinking and communication appeared to be related to interface preferences.