Graphical symbols — Test methods — Part 2: Method for testing perceptual quality

ISO 9186-2:2008 specifies a method for testing the perceptual quality of graphical symbols, to verify that the elements that constitute a graphical symbol are readily identifiable by the eventual user population.

Symboles graphiques — Méthodes d'essai — Partie 2: Méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue

L'ISO 9186-2:2008 spécifie une méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue des symboles graphiques, afin de vérifier que les éléments constituant un symbole graphique sont facilement identifiables par la population d'usagers visée.

Grafični simboli - Preskusne metode - 2. del: Metoda za preskušanje perceptualne kakovosti

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
02-Jun-2008
Current Stage
9093 - International Standard confirmed
Completion Date
22-Jul-2024

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Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-april-2009
1DGRPHãþD
SIST ISO 9186:2003
*UDILþQLVLPEROL3UHVNXVQHPHWRGHGHO0HWRGD]DSUHVNXãDQMHSHUFHSWXDOQH
NDNRYRVWL
Graphical symbols - Test methods - Part 2: Method for testing perceptual quality
Symboles graphiques - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 2: Méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: ISO 9186-2:2008
ICS:
01.080.10 Simboli za javne informacije Public information symbols
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 9186-2
First edition
2008-06-15
Graphical symbols — Test methods —
Part 2:
Method for testing perceptual quality
Symboles graphiques — Méthodes d'essai —
Partie 2: Méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue

Reference number
©
ISO 2008
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.

©  ISO 2008
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Principle.2
5 Pre-test information .3
6 Test method .3
6.1 Apparatus and test material .3
6.2 Respondents.4
6.3 Test administrator .5
6.4 Test procedure.5
7 Analysis and scoring .5
8 Presentation of results.6
Annex A (informative) Clarification of terms and approach .7
Annex B (normative) Instruction to respondents.9
Bibliography.13

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member 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 shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 9186-2 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 145, Graphical symbols, Subcommittee SC 1,
Public information symbols.
This first edition of ISO 9186-2, together with ISO 9186-1, cancels and replaces ISO 9186:2001, which has
been technically revised.
ISO 9186 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphical symbols — Test methods:
⎯ Part 1: Methods for testing comprehensibility
⎯ Part 2: Method for testing perceptual quality

iv © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

Introduction
In addition to being comprehensible, a graphical symbol should have sufficient perceptual quality to enable the
eventual user population in a practical situation to identify its elements correctly. If the symbol's ultimate
meaning is to be understood, it is essential that its elements be identifiable. As an example to clarify this
concept of identifiability, consider Figure 1. A person who sees this “lost and found” symbol should be able to
report that the symbol consists of a question mark, a glove and an umbrella. If, for example, the glove is seen
as a hand, the symbol's identifiability is insufficient. On the other hand, the umbrella would be correctly
identified by the description “triangle apex down with a curved line at the top”. Stated more generally, an
element is considered to be identified correctly, if either an accurate, shape-wise description is given, or the
object intended to be depicted is named.

Figure 1 — Graphical symbol for the referent “lost and found” or “lost property”
For designers of graphical symbols, ISO provides guidelines and requirements to support the realization of
optimal perceptual quality, such as ISO 22727 and ISO 3864-3.
However, applying requirements and criteria can never guarantee an optimal design outcome. There may be
times when there is a need to examine empirically key aspects of proposed graphical symbols. Such a need
may arise, for example, during initial design in order to determine how elements within a symbol are identified
when the symbol subtends a small visual angle (due to small symbol size and/or large viewing distance), or
after comprehension testing has shown there to be difficulties in interpreting a symbol and it is desired to
scrutinize the elements making up the symbol as an aid in generating improvements. This part of ISO 9186
describes a test method for assessing the identifiability of symbol elements. The core of this test method is to
show a symbol to appropriately representative respondents and have them describe what they see. The
respondents' task is to name the elements of the symbol's image content. This procedure will assist in locating
those elements within a symbol that may be the source of difficulty.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 9186-2:2008(E)

Graphical symbols — Test methods —
Part 2:
Method for testing perceptual quality
1 Scope
This part of ISO 9186 specifies a method for testing the perceptual quality of graphical symbols, to verify that
the elements that constitute a graphical symbol are readily identifiable by the eventual user population.
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 17724:2003, Graphical symbols — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 17724 and the following apply.
3.1
identifiability
property of a graphical symbol which enables its elements to be perceived as the objects or shapes depicted
3.2
graphical symbol
visually perceptible figure with a particular meaning used to transmit information independently of language
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 31]
3.3
graphical symbol element
part of a graphical symbol with a particular meaning
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 32]
3.4
image content
written description of the elements of a graphical symbol and their relative disposition
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 38]
3.5
referent
idea or object that a graphical symbol is intended to represent
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 61]
3.6
factor of distance
z
h) of a sign and the observation distance (l), used to determine observation
relationship between the height (
distances of signs
z = l/h
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 28]
3.7
visual acuity
capacity for seeing distinctly fine details that have very small angular separation
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 82]
3.8
visual angle
angle subtended by two lines drawn from the eye of the observer to the two extremes of the longest axis of
the symbol being viewed
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 83]
3.9
corner marking
part of a graphical symbol original, four of which define its corners
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 17]
3.10
field of application
context or sphere of activity in which a graphical symbol is to be used
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 29]
3.11
comprehension test
procedure for quantifying the degree of understanding of a proposed graphical symbol
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 14]
4 Principle
This test method is used to assess whether the perceptual quality of a graphical symbol enables the eventual
user population to identify correctly the element(s) constituting the symbol. Respondents are instructed to
name the elements of the symbol. The final outcome of the test is the percentage of the respondents who
describe correctly all elements of the symbol (the “correct identification percentage”). The test uses two or
more presentation sizes of the symbols, keeping all other conditions constant. With the larger presentation
size, the test assesses whether the elements are at all identified as intended by the designer. The other
smaller size(s) serve(s) to simulate the minimal subtended visual angle(s) at which the symbol should function
properly when used. With the smaller size(s), the test assesses whether the symbol is identifiable when it
subtends such a smaller visual angle.
NOTE 1 The terms and concepts used in this part of ISO 9186 are clarified in Annex A.
NOTE 2 The organization to which the graphical symbol is submitted as a proposal for standardization, such as ISO,
CEN, national or industry standards bodies, will specify whether the graphical symbol has to obtain a particular correct
identification percentage before it can be accepted for standardization, and, if so, what this percentage is.
2 © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

5 Pre-test information
Before initiating a test programme, the test administrators shall ensure that the submitter of the graphical
symbol has checked the information required by the relevant standards organization or industry organization
to which the findings may have to be submitted when the graphical symbol is proposed for standardization.
The submitter of the symbol shall provide information which includes the following:
⎯ the name and contact details of the organization to which the test findings are to be submitted;
⎯ details of the information that is required from the submitter and test administrators by that organization;
⎯ a completed application form for each symbol as required by the standards organization. Where the
standards organization does not have a specified application form for the submission of graphical
symbols for standardization, the submitter shall complete an application form for each symbol as required
by the test administrators.
NOTE 1 Application forms for submission of public information symbols for standardization by ISO/TC 145/SC 1 are
ava
...


INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 9186-2
First edition
2008-06-15
Graphical symbols — Test methods —
Part 2:
Method for testing perceptual quality
Symboles graphiques — Méthodes d'essai —
Partie 2: Méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue

Reference number
©
ISO 2008
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.

©  ISO 2008
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope.1
2 Normative references.1
3 Terms and definitions .1
4 Principle.2
5 Pre-test information .3
6 Test method .3
6.1 Apparatus and test material .3
6.2 Respondents.4
6.3 Test administrator .5
6.4 Test procedure.5
7 Analysis and scoring .5
8 Presentation of results.6
Annex A (informative) Clarification of terms and approach .7
Annex B (normative) Instruction to respondents.9
Bibliography.13

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member 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 shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 9186-2 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 145, Graphical symbols, Subcommittee SC 1,
Public information symbols.
This first edition of ISO 9186-2, together with ISO 9186-1, cancels and replaces ISO 9186:2001, which has
been technically revised.
ISO 9186 consists of the following parts, under the general title Graphical symbols — Test methods:
⎯ Part 1: Methods for testing comprehensibility
⎯ Part 2: Method for testing perceptual quality

iv © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

Introduction
In addition to being comprehensible, a graphical symbol should have sufficient perceptual quality to enable the
eventual user population in a practical situation to identify its elements correctly. If the symbol's ultimate
meaning is to be understood, it is essential that its elements be identifiable. As an example to clarify this
concept of identifiability, consider Figure 1. A person who sees this “lost and found” symbol should be able to
report that the symbol consists of a question mark, a glove and an umbrella. If, for example, the glove is seen
as a hand, the symbol's identifiability is insufficient. On the other hand, the umbrella would be correctly
identified by the description “triangle apex down with a curved line at the top”. Stated more generally, an
element is considered to be identified correctly, if either an accurate, shape-wise description is given, or the
object intended to be depicted is named.

Figure 1 — Graphical symbol for the referent “lost and found” or “lost property”
For designers of graphical symbols, ISO provides guidelines and requirements to support the realization of
optimal perceptual quality, such as ISO 22727 and ISO 3864-3.
However, applying requirements and criteria can never guarantee an optimal design outcome. There may be
times when there is a need to examine empirically key aspects of proposed graphical symbols. Such a need
may arise, for example, during initial design in order to determine how elements within a symbol are identified
when the symbol subtends a small visual angle (due to small symbol size and/or large viewing distance), or
after comprehension testing has shown there to be difficulties in interpreting a symbol and it is desired to
scrutinize the elements making up the symbol as an aid in generating improvements. This part of ISO 9186
describes a test method for assessing the identifiability of symbol elements. The core of this test method is to
show a symbol to appropriately representative respondents and have them describe what they see. The
respondents' task is to name the elements of the symbol's image content. This procedure will assist in locating
those elements within a symbol that may be the source of difficulty.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 9186-2:2008(E)

Graphical symbols — Test methods —
Part 2:
Method for testing perceptual quality
1 Scope
This part of ISO 9186 specifies a method for testing the perceptual quality of graphical symbols, to verify that
the elements that constitute a graphical symbol are readily identifiable by the eventual user population.
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 17724:2003, Graphical symbols — Vocabulary
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 17724 and the following apply.
3.1
identifiability
property of a graphical symbol which enables its elements to be perceived as the objects or shapes depicted
3.2
graphical symbol
visually perceptible figure with a particular meaning used to transmit information independently of language
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 31]
3.3
graphical symbol element
part of a graphical symbol with a particular meaning
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 32]
3.4
image content
written description of the elements of a graphical symbol and their relative disposition
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 38]
3.5
referent
idea or object that a graphical symbol is intended to represent
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 61]
3.6
factor of distance
z
h) of a sign and the observation distance (l), used to determine observation
relationship between the height (
distances of signs
z = l/h
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 28]
3.7
visual acuity
capacity for seeing distinctly fine details that have very small angular separation
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 82]
3.8
visual angle
angle subtended by two lines drawn from the eye of the observer to the two extremes of the longest axis of
the symbol being viewed
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 83]
3.9
corner marking
part of a graphical symbol original, four of which define its corners
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 17]
3.10
field of application
context or sphere of activity in which a graphical symbol is to be used
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 29]
3.11
comprehension test
procedure for quantifying the degree of understanding of a proposed graphical symbol
[ISO 17724:2003, definition 14]
4 Principle
This test method is used to assess whether the perceptual quality of a graphical symbol enables the eventual
user population to identify correctly the element(s) constituting the symbol. Respondents are instructed to
name the elements of the symbol. The final outcome of the test is the percentage of the respondents who
describe correctly all elements of the symbol (the “correct identification percentage”). The test uses two or
more presentation sizes of the symbols, keeping all other conditions constant. With the larger presentation
size, the test assesses whether the elements are at all identified as intended by the designer. The other
smaller size(s) serve(s) to simulate the minimal subtended visual angle(s) at which the symbol should function
properly when used. With the smaller size(s), the test assesses whether the symbol is identifiable when it
subtends such a smaller visual angle.
NOTE 1 The terms and concepts used in this part of ISO 9186 are clarified in Annex A.
NOTE 2 The organization to which the graphical symbol is submitted as a proposal for standardization, such as ISO,
CEN, national or industry standards bodies, will specify whether the graphical symbol has to obtain a particular correct
identification percentage before it can be accepted for standardization, and, if so, what this percentage is.
2 © ISO 2008 – All rights reserved

5 Pre-test information
Before initiating a test programme, the test administrators shall ensure that the submitter of the graphical
symbol has checked the information required by the relevant standards organization or industry organization
to which the findings may have to be submitted when the graphical symbol is proposed for standardization.
The submitter of the symbol shall provide information which includes the following:
⎯ the name and contact details of the organization to which the test findings are to be submitted;
⎯ details of the information that is required from the submitter and test administrators by that organization;
⎯ a completed application form for each symbol as required by the standards organization. Where the
standards organization does not have a specified application form for the submission of graphical
symbols for standardization, the submitter shall complete an application form for each symbol as required
by the test administrators.
NOTE 1 Application forms for submission of public information symbols for standardization by ISO/TC 145/SC 1 are
available on www.iso.org/tc145/sc1 or from the ISO/TC 145/SC 1 Secretary. Application forms for submission of symbols
to be used on safety signs for standardization by ISO/TC 145/SC 2 are available on www.iso.org/tc145/sc2 or from the
ISO/TC 145/SC 2 Secretary. Application forms for submission of symbols for use on equipment for standardization by
ISO/TC 145/SC 3 are available on www.iso.org/tc145/sc3 or from the ISO/TC 145/SC 3 Secretary.
The following items should be provided in addition to the completed form:
a) a description of the image content defining all elements of the symbol and their disposition;
b) the minimum subtended visual angle(s) at which the symbol's elements should be identifiable. These
values can be deduced from the symbol sizes and viewing distances expected to exist when the graphical
symbol is in use;
c) confirmation that the proposed graphical symbol has been designed in accordance with the relevant
design principles, design requirements or design criteria;
N
...


NORME ISO
INTERNATIONALE 9186-2
Première édition
2008-06-15
Symboles graphiques — Méthodes
d'essai —
Partie 2:
Méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue
Graphical symbols — Test methods —
Part 2: Method for testing perceptual quality

Numéro de référence
©
ISO 2008
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veuillez en informer le Secrétariat central à l'adresse donnée ci-dessous.

DOCUMENT PROTÉGÉ PAR COPYRIGHT

©  ISO 2008
Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf prescription différente, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite ni utilisée sous
quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit
de l'ISO à l'adresse ci-après ou du comité membre de l'ISO dans le pays du demandeur.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Publié en Suisse
ii © ISO 2008 – Tous droits réservés

Sommaire Page
Avant-propos .iv
Introduction.v
1 Domaine d'application .1
2 Références normatives.1
3 Termes et définitions .1
4 Principe.2
5 Informations préalables à l'essai.3
6 Méthode d'essai.4
6.1 Appareillage et matériel d'essai.4
6.2 Sujets.5
6.3 Responsable de l'essai .5
6.4 Mode opératoire d'essai .5
7 Analyse et notation .6
8 Présentation des résultats.6
Annexe A (informative) Clarification des termes et approche .8
Annexe B (normative) Instructions à l'intention des sujets .10
Bibliographie.14

Avant-propos
L'ISO (Organisation internationale de normalisation) est une fédération mondiale d'organismes nationaux de
normalisation (comités membres de l'ISO). L'élaboration des Normes internationales est en général confiée
aux comités techniques de l'ISO. Chaque comité membre intéressé par une étude a le droit de faire partie du
comité technique créé à cet effet. Les organisations internationales, gouvernementales et non
gouvernementales, en liaison avec l'ISO participent également aux travaux. L'ISO collabore étroitement avec
la Commission électrotechnique internationale (CEI) en ce qui concerne la normalisation électrotechnique.
Les Normes internationales sont rédigées conformément aux règles données dans les Directives ISO/CEI,
Partie 2.
La tâche principale des comités techniques est d'élaborer les Normes internationales. Les projets de Normes
internationales adoptés par les comités techniques sont soumis aux comités membres pour vote. Leur
publication comme Normes internationales requiert l'approbation de 75 % au moins des comités membres
votants.
L'attention est appelée sur le fait que certains des éléments du présent document peuvent faire l'objet de
droits de propriété intellectuelle ou de droits analogues. L'ISO ne saurait être tenue pour responsable de ne
pas avoir identifié de tels droits de propriété et averti de leur existence.
L'ISO 9186-2 a été élaborée par le comité technique ISO/TC 145, Symboles graphiques et pictogrammes,
sous-comité SC 1, Symboles pour l'information du public (pictogrammes).
Cette première édition de l'ISO 9186-2, conjointement à l'ISO 9186-1, annule et remplace l'ISO 9186:2001,
dont elle constitue une révision technique.
L'ISO 9186 comprend les parties suivantes, présentées sous le titre général Symboles graphiques —
Méthodes d'essai:
⎯ Partie 1: Méthodes de vérification de la compréhensibilité
⎯ Partie 2: Méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue

iv © ISO 2008 – Tous droits réservés

Introduction
Il est recommandé qu'un symbole graphique, outre le fait d'être compréhensible, revête une qualité perçue
suffisante pour permettre à la population d'usagers visée se trouvant face à une situation pratique d'identifier
ses éléments correctement. Si la signification finale du symbole doit être comprise, il est indispensable que
ses éléments soient identifiables. À titre d'exemple pour clarifier ce concept d'identifiabilité, considérer la
Figure 1. Il convient qu'une personne qui voit ce symbole «objets perdus/objets trouvés» puisse indiquer que
ledit symbole contient un point d'interrogation, un gant et un parapluie. Si, par exemple, le gant est perçu
comme une main, l'identifiabilité du symbole est insuffisante. Par contre, le parapluie serait correctement
identifié par la description «triangle dont la pointe est dirigée vers le bas et une ligne courbe en haut». Plus
généralement, un élément est considéré comme étant correctement identifié si, soit une description précise
de la forme est donnée, soit l'objet destiné à être représenté est désigné.

Figure 1 — Symbole graphique pour le référent «objets perdus/objets trouvés»
Pour les concepteurs de symboles graphiques, l'ISO fournit des lignes directrices et des exigences visant à
aider l'obtention d'une qualité perçue optimale, comme par exemple l'ISO 22727 et l'ISO 3864-3.
Toutefois, l'application des exigences et des critères ne peut jamais garantir une conception optimale comme
résultat. Des cas peuvent exister où il est nécessaire d'examiner de façon empirique les aspects
fondamentaux des symboles graphiques proposés. Un tel besoin peut se produire, par exemple, au cours de
la phase initiale de conception pour déterminer comment les éléments à l'intérieur d'un symbole sont identifiés
lorsque le symbole en question sous-tend un petit angle visuel (en raison de la petite dimension du symbole
et/ou de la grande distance d'observation), ou après qu'un essai de compréhension a révélé l'existence de
difficultés d'interprétation d'un symbole et qu'il est souhaité examiner minutieusement les éléments constituant
le symbole en vue d'apporter des améliorations. La présente partie de l'ISO 9186 décrit une méthode d'essai
permettant l'évaluation de l'identifiabilité des éléments de symbole. L'essentiel de cette méthode d'essai
consiste à montrer un symbole à des sujets représentatifs et à les faire décrire ce qu'ils voient. La tâche qui
incombe aux sujets consiste à nommer les éléments du contenu graphique représenté par le symbole. Cette
procédure aidera à localiser les éléments à l'intérieur d'un symbole qui peuvent être la source des difficultés
rencontrées.
NORME INTERNATIONALE ISO 9186-2:2008(F)

Symboles graphiques — Méthodes d'essai —
Partie 2:
Méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue
1 Domaine d'application
La présente partie de l'ISO 9186 spécifie une méthode d'essai de la qualité perçue des symboles graphiques,
afin de vérifier que les éléments constituant un symbole graphique sont facilement identifiables par la
population d'usagers visée.
2 Références normatives
Les documents de référence suivants sont indispensables pour l'application du présent document. Pour les
références datées, seule l'édition citée s'applique. Pour les références non datées, la dernière édition du
document de référence s'applique (y compris les éventuels amendements).
ISO 17724:2003, Symboles graphiques — Vocabulaire
3 Termes et définitions
Pour les besoins du présent document, les termes et définitions donnés dans l'ISO 17724 ainsi que les
suivants s'appliquent.
3.1
identifiabilité
propriété d'un symbole graphique permettant à ses éléments d'être perçus comme les objets ou les formes
représentés
3.2
symbole graphique
figure perceptible visuellement ayant une signification particulière et utilisée pour transmettre des informations
indépendamment de la langue
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 31]
3.3
élément de symbole graphique
partie d'un symbole graphique, ayant une signification particulière
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 32]
3.4
contenu graphique
description écrite des éléments d'un symbole graphique et de leur disposition relative
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 38]
3.5
référent
idée ou objet qu'un symbole graphique est destiné à représenter
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 61]
3.6
facteur de distance
z
rapport entre la hauteur (h) d'un signal et la distance d'observation (l), utilisé pour déterminer les distances
d'observation des signaux
z = l/h
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 28]
3.7
acuité visuelle
capacité de discerner de fins détails qui présentent un angle de séparation réduit
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 82]
3.8
angle visuel
angle sous-tendu par deux lignes partant de l'œil de l'observateur vers les deux extrêmes de l'axe le plus long
du symbole considéré
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 83]
3.9
repère d'angle
partie d'un symbole graphique original; les quatre repères d'angle définissent le cadre du symbole graphique
original
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 17]
3.10
domaine d'application
contexte ou sphère d'activité dans lequel/laquelle un symbole graphique doit être utilisé
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 29]
3.11
essai de compréhension
procédure de mesure du degré de compréhension d'un symbole graphique proposé
[ISO 17724:2003, définition 14]
4 Principe
La présente méthode d'essai est utilisée afin d'évaluer si la qualité perçue d'un symbole graphique permet à
la population d'usagers visée d'identifier correctement le ou les éléments constitutifs du symbole. Il est
recommandé aux sujets de désigner les éléments du symbole. Le résultat final de l'essai correspond au
pourcentage des sujets qui décrivent correctement l'ensemble des éléments du symbole (le «pourcentage
correct d'identification»). L'essai utilise deux ou plusieurs dimensions de présentation des symboles, toutes
les autres conditions restant constantes. Avec la dimension de présentation plus grande, l'essai évalue si les
éléments sont bien identifiés de la manière prévue par le concepteur. Les autres dimensions, plus petites,
servent à simuler l'angle visuel sous-tendu minimal auquel il convient que le symbole fonctionne correctement
2 © ISO 2008 – Tous droits réservés

lors de son utilisation. Avec la ou les dimensions plus petites, l'essai évalue si le symbole est identifiable
lorsqu'il sous-tend un tel angle visuel plus petit.
NOTE 1 Les termes et concepts utilisés dans la présente partie de l'ISO 9186 sont clarifiés dans l'Annexe A.
NOTE 2 L'organisation à laquelle le symbole graphique est soumis en tant que proposition en vue de normalisation,
telle que l'ISO, le CEN, des organismes de normalisation nationaux ou sectoriels, spécifiera si le symbole graphique est
censé obtenir un pourcentage correct d'identification particulier avant de pouvoir être accepté pour la normalisation, et, si
tel est le cas, quel est ce pourcentage.
5 Informations préalables à l'essai
Avant de lancer un programme d'essais, les responsables de l'essai doivent s'assurer que l'auteur de la
soumission du symbole graphique a vérifié les informations requises par l'organisme de normalisation ou
l'organisme sectoriel correspondant auquel les résultats peuvent devoir être soumis lorsque la normalisation
du symbole graphique est proposée.
L'auteur de la soumission du symbole doit fournir les informations suivantes:
⎯ le nom et les coordonnées de l'organisme auquel les résultats d'essai doivent être soumis;
⎯ les détails des informations requises par cet organisme de la part de l'auteur de la soumission et des
responsables de l'essai;
⎯ un formulaire de demande dûment complété pour cha
...

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