실버 세대를 위한 지표적 메타포 디자인 연구 - 실버 세대의 회상 기능을 중심으로 -

Abstract

Population aging has emerged as one of today's most conspicuous trends worldwide. In this demographic shift, the silver generation has tried to actively adapt to their environments and embrace socio-economic changes, while dealing with their physical and mental conditions. Smartphones provide the elderly with useful information as well as a sense of relief that they are keeping up with the times, and allow them to enjoy their leisure life in more varied ways. This study compared and examined the icon designs for mobile applications generally used by the silver generation. Different types of metaphor, vital in understanding the meaning of each App icon, were categorized according to the levels of depth and complexity thereof. Among them, indexical metaphor encodes visual/sensory description and relates to skeuomorphism design. This article aims to determine if designs based on such concepts can be a useful tool for the silver generation in interpreting App icons. Icon designs relying on indexical metaphor which include elements that emulate real life objects, feature high visibility and thus lead to quick and better understanding of the function and content of each mobile application. And also, this helps the silver generation recall. Results of the research showed that the adoption of indexical metaphor in App icon designs is beneficial to the elderly. This article suggests that it is desirable to make further efforts to find and create effective designing elements so that the silver generation can make better use of smartphones.