User-Centered Symbol Design Through Human-Computer Collaboration

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop a new approach to symbol development that used an interactive evolutionary computation (IEC) algorithm to expand end-user participation in the design process. IEC iteratively employs subjective assessment and parameter recombination to create a population of anthropomorphic symbols that “evolve” based on user input. Three design groups, comprised of both student and industrial subjects, used the IEC algorithm to develop 60 symbols for awkward posture, an risk factor for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Factor analysis was used to reduce the nine design parameters (i.e., limb angles) to a three-factor structure. Analysis of variance revealed that student generated symbols differed significantly from those created by industrial participants in terms of two of the three factor scores. Actual or potential applications of this research include a new approach to creating symbols that encourages end-user input into their design.