App relies too heavily on icons for UI

[wildwestnature]

We feel confused about the identify an organism screen (see below) because it has the icons and a key explaining the icons. We have been referring to the key, and once we find the option we want in the key, it’s intuitive for us to tap the option in the key. But the key isn’t dynamic and so tapping on it doesn’t do anything, so it’s an extra step to then go back down to the icons and match them to the key. The order they appear isn’t the same either.

Over time, maybe we will tune out the key because we understand the icons and they will become intuitive. Could the key be dynamic? Could the order the icons are listed in the key and below be Synchronized, like top to bottom and left to right? We sent this feedback on the app, too.

[leahfulton1]

Honestly, I think I’d rather have all the options available in the default setting for the camera (iNaturalist AI camera). There’s room for more buttons on the side or bottom when you open it up, and it effectively combines the camera and AI camera options already. If anything, maybe have all options available for both settings so people that don’t want the camera to open right away can have the icons and those that do can access the audio recording and no photo options. I myself was wondering where those went before I found this particular setting, and others that don’t know to go looking for it might not ever realize its an option.

As far as the icons themselves go, the only one that is non-universal enough to be confusing to me is the AI photo icon. Other than that, having the microphone and crossed out photo icon available in the default camera view should be readable enough to understand without the big block of text.

@zygy

Another option (if you didn’t want to get rid of the icons) would be to give the user a little tutorial walk-thru the first time they encounter a new part of the app. It could have little bubbles that explain what each button does. Just an idea. Now that I’ve figured out what all the buttons do, I actually like the efficiency of the design, but I have to admit that I was lost at first.

I quite like this option quite a bit. Those that are familiar with the app won’t have the explanation block taking up the screen, and those that are new to the app (or perhaps new to smartphones in general for those that don’t understand the three lines brings up the side bar), can get a tour and explanation.

[natemarchessault]

I think this would really help. I’m a heavy smartphone/iNat user and I had no idea what most buttons did when I tried it on my roommate’s phone. If I wasn’t phone savvy I would have been really intimidated and probably would not continue using the app. Certain age demographics didn’t grow up with computers in their pockets, and it’s important to consider things from their perspectives too (not saying everyone in that category isn’t good with technology).

[teellbee]

@tiwane

Not a designer, but I think one reason we wanted to go with a more icons-based design is to make the app more accessible to people who can’t read. It would also mean that lack of translation into certain langauges wouldn’t be as a big of a barrier as it currently is. But yes, the downside is that some of the icons can be inscrutable at first. It’s good feedback, I’ve been using the app for 8+ months now so I’m used to them.

This is where designers used to use On Hover / Pop up Tool Tips. I don’t understand why UI designers don’t do this.

It leaves the UI uncluttered AND gives users the information they need when it’s needed.

Can anyone explain the downside of On Hover / Pop up Toot Tips. Hover Over documentation was sort of a standard for a long time.

[bouteloua]

It’s a mobile app so there isn’t really a hover feature like there is available with a cursor on desktop. You could do a long press to show a tool tip but that isn’t always immediately obvious that short tap versus long press would cause a difference in action. Adding an extra little “i” near icons for example to tap and show more information would cause visual clutter. Which kind of hover method did you have in mind?

[teellbee]

Thanks for that explanation .

I would prefer the ”i” icon as it is more readily recognized and accessed.

I could see a potential solution may be to provide a key. to the icons (such as are found on maps) as a single tooltip or popup.

Is there something like that for the keyboard shortcuts?

[zygy]

@eyekosaeder

The only one I found a bit unclear is the compass-looking one that opens the explore page. It’s weird, IMO, that it is both in the bottom row and also above the observations on the personal observations page, where it opens the explore page, but filtered to show only your observations.

Yes, this confused me at first as well.