REFINING EARLY DESIGN DECISIONS WITH A BLACK-BOX MODEL

For all the modules of Computervision's computer-aided design, engineering and manufacturing workstation, the CADDS station, the number of icons representing the various applications and tools is greater than 5000, with the new icon designs being added daily. This number of symbols is greater than the number of characters in the basic Chinese system of ideograms, according to one introduction to the language. Computervision had no icon design manual to ensure legibility, readability, and consistency among these signs, which were being developed by software groups in four different countries.