Iconography

Design Considerations for Line Icons in Car HMI

Visibility and Size: Line icons must be large enough to be easily seen at a glance, especially given the dynamic and safety-critical nature of the driving environment. Research suggests icons in central consoles should be between 12mm and 18mm for optimal usability.
Line Thickness: The thickness of the lines is crucial. Medium-thickness lines tend to perform better in terms of usability and clarity than very thin lines, which can be difficult to discern quickly.
Contrast: Ensure strong contrast between the icon and the background, following accessibility guidelines (e.g., W3C recommendations) to make them easily readable in various lighting conditions. Semantic Intuitiveness: Icons appearance should be intuitive and easily understandable without requiring a lot of cognitive processing.
Standardization: Where possible, use icons that conform to existing international standards (like ISO 2575) to leverage existing driver knowledge and avoid confusion across different vehicles. Avoid Clutter: Use sufficient space around icons and avoid overly complex designs that might be distracting.
Contextual Support: Space permitting, icons benefit from accompanying text to ensure the driver fully understands the meaning