Computer geeks like to claim that they use icons in the interfaces these days instead of words because “icons are universal.”
The problem is that icons are not universal. Very much not. When I’ve done intensive tech support in the past most users had no idea what 99% of icons meant, while they could almost always pick out key words like “Print” and “Save.”
The real problem is laziness and management attempting to save money by avoiding translation of an interface into many languages.
Icons are only universal among the 1-2% of very tech-savvy users out there.
For others, they are almost all indecipherable and probably always will be.
This “icons are universal” claptrap is one of the biggest myths in UX, and a persistent one at that, because it allows executives to skimp on good design.
God, do I hate these stupid icons….. Unlike words which can quickly be associated with tasks even if it seems coutnerintuitive in the beginning icons refuse to stick in my mind and I end up randomly clicking at things to get things done…
Occasionally in class I go off on mini-rants (which students mostly seem to enjoy which is why I haven’t stopped). Two recent ones:
“Iphones (and smartphones and tablets and Windows 8) are part of an international plot to make people stupider. Do you have any evidence to the contrary?”
“Just remember the people behind iphones (etc) don’t want you to ever be able to get a job.” (in reference to their plumetting general computer skills – that one got their attention).