In-vehicle Augmented Reality Head-Up Displays (AR-HUDs) offer drivers integrated navigation and vehicle status information, thereby improving the driving experience. Many studies explored the effects of AR-HUD navigation design and information presentation on driving performance; however, these studies neglected the occurrence of inattentional blindness, which may lead to potential safety hazards. This study used a two-factor within-subjects design to investigate how dynamic effects (pulsation, blinking, movement) and color transparency levels (T1, T0.75, T0.5, T0.35) of AR-HUD navigation graphics influence inattentional blindness and user experience. The results indicated that color transparency significantly affects the drivers’ inattentional blindness behavior and user experience. Specifically, T0.75 resulted in the lowest inattentional blindness, while T0.5 was associated with the shortest reaction time (without blindness) and highest user satisfaction. Dynamic effects did not significantly impact inattentional blindness, but blinking reduced reaction time (without blindness). This study provides design insights for vehicle AR-HUD navigation interfaces.

Icons map computational concepts through pictorial representations, assisting users in learning and using interfaces. However, constructing effective mapping structures and graphically expressing icon semantics remain challenges. This study explores how pictogram-semantic mapping structures impact icon understanding, employing a 3 (Pictogram-semantic mapping structure: Direct mapping, Metaphorical mapping, Metonymical mapping) × 2 (Semantic congruity: Semantic congruence, Semantic incongruence) within-subject design with behavioral experiments and Event-Related Potential (ERP) measurements. Results reveal that mapping structure significantly influences understanding: direct mapping enhances understanding efficiency, enabling quick and accurate interpretation; metaphorical mapping improves semantic processing fluency and emotional arousal, enriching the emotional experience; while metonymical mapping reduces efficiency without notable benefits in semantic coherence or emotional engagement. These findings offer practical insights for designing understandable icons and a theoretical foundation for strategically improving user experience through icon design.

Digital payment systems present usability challenges for older adults, and metaphorical icons may facilitate their learning and use of these systems. This study investigated how graphic and textual metaphors affect older users' understanding of action and knowledge icons in payment interfaces. Behavioral experiments combined with eye-tracking measurements were utilized. The findings suggest that employing appearance-resembling metaphor and metaphorical labels for action icons can significantly enhance icon readability, reduce cognitive load and uncertainty for older users, and improve their sense of self-efficacy when interacting with digital payment systems. Additionally, using appearance-resembling metaphor with textual labels for knowledge icons may improve recognition efficiency, alleviate cognitive load, and enhance older users’ self-efficacy in using these systems. These findings provide insights for designers to enhance older users’ experience with digital payment systems and contribute to improving the overall well-being of the aging population in an increasingly digital world.