The effect of icon patterns on user attention and memory

This study explored the impact of icon patterns, position, composition, and congruence on user attention and recognition memory for single-row icon sets. Four patterns of an icon set were experimentally tested: plane congruent (plane-plane-plane, PPP), plane incongruent (line-plane-line, LPL), line congruent (line-line-line, LLL), and line incongruent (plane-line-plane, PLP). For attention, this study found no significant difference between LLL and PPP. Furthermore, the combination of plane-based and line-based icons (LPL) was most suitable for user attention. For recognition memory, icon sets with plane-based targets (PPP or LPL) were more recognizable than those with line-based targets (LLL or PLP), and PLP was the least recognizable. Overall, the LPL pattern best attracted attention and enhanced subsequent memory. For evenly distributed cognition, a PPP pattern was recommended. The findings of this study can provide guidance for designing graphical user interfaces with multiple icons (e.g., navigation bars and tab bars).