64. Study of Icon Design for Indian Market: Preliminary Investigation

Icons on a product effectively communicate the actual functionality of the design. A poorly designed icon which fails to help its users understand about its functions not only affects the usability of the product but also directly reduces its acceptance in the market. More icons representing multi-functionalities of smart refrigerators have resulted in some of them becoming redundant due to lack of understanding by its users. Thus, empathizing with the target user groups in order to understand their needs and wants is a necessity which many existing icon designs fail to do. The study aims to evaluate the level of comprehension about these icons and the need to redesign or discard some of them by analyzing data through comprehension, stereotype, and strength test. Many of the present smart refrigerators carry icon designs, considering mental models of Western nation’s users and do not relate entirely to users of India.