Roberts M, Gray and Lesnik – PREFERENCE VERSUS PERFORMANCE 2016

Description

Across three experiments comparing octolinear, curvilinear, multilinear and other schematic metro map designs, objective usability (journey-planning time and estimated duration) often did not match subjective ratings. Experiment 1 (Paris) replicated prior work: a curvilinear redesign produced faster planning times than the official octolinear map, yet users still preferred octolinearity. Experiment 2 (online, London) found a strong octolinear preference and separable attractiveness versus usability judgments; about 29% of participants held stable ‘‘intuitive theories’’ (e.g., octolinearity or simplicity) driving ratings. Multilinear maps were judged more usable than attractive, curvilinear more attractive than usable. Experiment 3 (Berlin) again showed no objective performance differences but persistent subjective preferences that predicted choice. The authors argue octolinearity is not an unconditional gold standard and propose five design criteria—simplicity, coherence, balance, harmony and topographicity—while urging objective usability testing and further study of perceptual fluency and metacognition.