Abstract for Tactile Graphics 2008

Title: 'Cognitive complexity' versus 'perceptual complexity' in tactile graphics

Reference: P4-C

Presenter: Frances Aldich

University of Sussex, UK

Abstract:

A familiar concern for designers, teachers and users of tactile graphics is the amount of physical detail in tactile graphics (the ‘perceptual complexity’). In contrast, the amount of mental processing required to interpret graphics (the ‘cognitive complexity’) is frequently overlooked.

There has been good progress in reducing perceptual complexity in tactile graphics by developing design guidelines and sets of discriminable symbols, improving production methods, and integrating audio output.

I believe the time has now come to devote more effort to understanding cognitive complexity in tactile graphics - to focus on the cognitive ‘message’ conveyed by tactile graphics rather than on the physical ‘medium’.

With this aim, I report work in progress which:

puts forward several factors contributing to a graphic’s conceptual complexity,
offers a way to begin assessing a graphic’s conceptual complexity, and
considers how a graphic’s conceptual complexity may differ according to the user’s sight experience.

Objectives of presentation:

To introduce a distinction between ‘perceptual complexity’ and ‘cognitive complexity’
To illustrate the nature of cognitive complexity and its implications

Outcomes for audience:

Begin to assess a graphic’s cognitive complexity for a given individual
Recognise some implications of conceptual complexity for design and use of tactile graphics

Prior knowledge of topic assumed: Low

Contains advanced technical content: No

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