Metaphors

Metaphors are linguistic devices that express an abstract concept through analogy (Reber, 1986). The use of metaphors allows unfamiliar and abstract concepts to be more readily grasped and understood.

An example of the use of a metaphor in everyday speech is when we talk about time as if it is money or currency. Time is an abstract concept and by using a metaphor to make it more familiar and understandable, we can talk about it more freely. By the use of this money metaphor in relation to time, it has become normal for us to save, spend, give, waste, and borrow time.

Metaphors are important within HCI because they allow users to use their understanding of everyday objects and situations to help them understand concepts within a computing environment.

The desktop metaphor is one which has been used from an early stage by the Mac Windows System which then of course led onto the Windows Operating System by Microsoft. It is important to note that not all the functionality of a real world desktop can be transformed into virtual counterpart. This is where some problems can be caused to novice users who expect a certain behaviour based on the real world but are surprised when things aren't quite the same.

Conceptual Models

A conceptual model describes the way a system is meant to be understood. A good conceptual model that is applied properly in the design of a system will enable a user to develop a good mental model associated with the system. There are typically many metaphors and mental models of users which can be used in ISD to help users gain a good understanding of the system. The user's mental model of a system is developed by viewing / experiencing the system and its visible functionality and structure.

As an interactive systems designer, it is good practice to start with a desired mental model and then develop the interface with the intention of conveying that mental model explicitly to the user through a conceptual model. Parts of the system that may clash with the conceptual model can be hidden from the user in order to maintain a good conceptual model which will hopefully lead to ease of use for the user.

The visible parts of the system that the users can base their mental model is described as the system image. This system image should convey the intentions of the designer with regards to how the system should be understood.

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