ISO/IEC 11581-10:2010
(Main)Information technology — User interface icons — Part 10: Framework and general guidance
Information technology — User interface icons — Part 10: Framework and general guidance
ISO/IEC 11581-10:2010 recognizes that icons are more than just symbols used on computer screens. Icons are interaction objects used by computer interfaces to accomplish various purposes. Icons can be rendered in various forms, including graphics, gesture, audio, tactile/haptics, or any combination thereof. This versatility in rendition can provide greater accessibility to their underlying functionalities. ISO/IEC 11581-10:2010 provides guidance for developers and designers creating and/or using icons and provides a basis for the standardization of icons. It also provides a framework for creating future parts of ISO/IEC 11581 and for identifying icon-related information to be used in any accompanying icon registries. It is important that icons are viewed not only as individual renditions with their associated functionality, but also that the context in which they are used is considered. ISO/IEC 11581-10:2010 gives requirements and recommendations for icons as they relate to other rendered elements, to sets of icons and to consistency among these symbols.
Technologies de l'information — Icônes d'interface utilisateur — Partie 10: Cadre et conduite générale
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 11581-10
First edition
2010-12-15
Information technology — User interface
icons —
Part 10:
Framework and general guidance
Technologies de l'information — Icônes d'interface utilisateur —
Partie 10: Cadre et conduite générale
Reference number
©
ISO/IEC 2010
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ii © ISO/IEC 2010 – All rights reserved
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction.vi
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Conformance .4
5 Framework for icons .4
6 Structuring icons.6
6.1 Icon components.6
6.2 Icon graphics .7
6.3 Alternate renderings of icons .7
6.4 Separate aspects of icons .7
6.5 Consistency of state information .7
6.6 Accessibility of description attributes .7
6.7 Accessibility of icon operations .7
7 Properties of icons.8
7.1 Representation properties of individual icons.8
7.2 Properties of sets of icons .8
7.3 Consistent behavior of icons .8
7.4 Spatial properties of icons .9
8 Attributes of icons.9
8.1 Internal attributes of icons .9
8.2 Description attributes .10
8.3 Graphic representation attributes .12
9 Functions of icons.15
9.1 Separation of icon operations.15
9.2 Selection of an icon.16
9.3 Selection operation on a label .16
9.4 Feedback on selection.16
9.5 Activation of an icon function.16
9.6 Feedback on activation.16
9.7 Feedback on activation completion .16
9.8 Opening an object icon.16
9.9 Moving an icon .16
9.10 Visualizing the movement of an icon .16
9.11 Obtaining a functional description.16
9.12 Obtaining state information .17
9.13 Immediate indication of icon operations .17
9.14 Operations requiring user permission.17
9.15 User control of labels.17
10 Grouping icons .17
10.1 Separation of icons .17
10.2 Groups of icons.17
10.3 Consistent positioning.17
10.4 Ordering of icons.18
10.5 Consistent ordering .18
10.6 User control of icon groups .18
© ISO/IEC 2010 – All rights reserved iii
11 Guidance regarding icons that relate to accessibility . 18
11.1 System related icons. 18
11.2 Testing of icons for accessibility. 18
Annex A (informative) Process for developing graphic representation of icons . 19
Bibliography. 22
iv © ISO/IEC 2010 – All rights reserved
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of
ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees
established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC
technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work. In the field of information
technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of the joint technical committee is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as
an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/IEC 11581-10 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 35, User interfaces.
ISO/IEC 11581 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information technology — User interface
icons:
⎯ Part 1: Introduction to and overview of icon standards
⎯ Part 2: Object icons
⎯ Part 3: Pointer icons
⎯ Part 5: Tool icons
⎯ Part 6: Action icons
⎯ Part 10: Framework and general guidance
⎯ Part 40: Management of icon registration
The following part is under preparation:
⎯ Part 41: Data structure to be used by the ISO/IEC JTC1/SC35 icon database
© ISO/IEC 2010 – All rights reserved v
Introduction
Icons are used on Information and Communications Technology (ICT) products to facilitate interaction with
their users. Icons can provide a language-independent means of communicating information to the user.
This part of ISO/IEC 11581 recognizes that icons are more than just symbols used on computer screens.
Icons are interaction objects used by computer interfaces to accomplish various purposes. Icons can be
rendered in various forms, including using graphics, gesture, audio, tactile/haptics, or any combination thereof.
This versatility in rendition can provide greater accessibility to their underlying functionalities.
This part of ISO/IEC 11581 provides a framework as a basis for organizing information related to the creation
and use of user interface icons.
vi © ISO/IEC 2010 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/IEC 11581-10:2010(E)
Information technology — User interface icons —
Part 10:
Framework and general guidance
1 Scope
This part of ISO/IEC 11581 provides guidance for developers and designers creating and/or using icons and
provides a basis for the standardization of icons. It also provides a framework for creating future parts of
ISO/IEC 11581 and for identifying icon-related information to be used in any accompanying icon registries.
It is important that icons are viewed not only as individual renditions with their associated functionality, but
also that the context in which they are used is considered. This part of ISO/IEC 11581 gives requirements and
recommendations for icons as they relate to other rendered elements, to sets of icons and to consistency
among these symbols.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 11581-3 Information technology — User system interfaces and symbols — Icon symbols and
functions — Part 3: Pointer icons
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
activation
initiation of the icon function of a selected icon
EXAMPLE When a mouse is used, the activation function is performed by double clicking on a mouse button.
NOTE Adapted from ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007, definition 2.12.
3.2
function description
language-dependent set of words used to clarify the object and/or function represented by the icon to the user
NOTE 1 The function description is used to elaborate on the meaning presented by the icon label.
NOTE 2 Adapted from the definition of “description” (2.9) in ISO/IEC TR 11580:2007.
© ISO/IEC 2010 – All rights reserved 1
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