Designing “Faster” Progress Bars: Manipulating Perceived Duration

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Author(s): Chris Harrison (Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA), Zhiquan Yeo (Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA), Brian Amento (AT&T Labs, USA)and Scott E. Hudson (Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA)
Copyright: 2012
Pages: 14
Source title: Cognitively Informed Intelligent Interfaces: Systems Design and Development
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Eshaa M. Alkhalifa (Royal University for Women, Bahrain)and Khulood Gaid (Royal University for Women, Bahrain)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-1628-8.ch016

Keywords: Cognitive Informatics / Computer Science & IT / Engineering Science Reference

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Abstract

Human perception of time is fluid, and can be manipulated in purposeful and productive ways. In this chapter, the authors describe and evaluate how progress bar pacing behaviors and graphical design can alter users’ perceptions of an operation’s duration. Although progress bars are relatively simple, they provide an ideal playground in which to experiment with perceptual effects in user interface design. As a baseline in the experiments, the authors use generic, solid-color progress bars with linear pacing behaviors, prevalent in many user interfaces. In a series of direct comparison tests, they are able to rank how different progress bar designs compare to one another. Using these results, it is possible to craft perceptually-optimized progress bars that appear faster, even though their actual duration remains unchanged. Throughout, the authors include design suggestions that can contribute to an overall more responsive, pleasant, and human-centric computing experience.

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Designing “Faster” Progress Bars: Manipulating Perceived Duration

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