Usability Optimization for Mobile Menu Design: An Empirical Study of Hand Grips and User Preferences

• Published in: Proceedings of the ACM on human-computer interaction 2024-09, Vol.8 (MHCI), p.1-19, Article 263
• Main Authors: Zieher, Tamara, Probst, Kathrin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Human-centered computing; Human-centered computing / Human computer interaction (HCI); Human-centered computing / Human computer interaction (HCI) / HCI design and evaluation methods; Human-centered computing / Human computer interaction (HCI) / Interaction devices; Human-centered computing / Human computer interaction (HCI) / Interaction devices / Pointing devices; Human-centered computing / Human computer interaction (HCI) / Interaction techniques; Human-centered computing / Human computer interaction (HCI) / Interaction techniques / Pointing; Human-centered computing / Interaction design; Human-centered computing / Interaction design / Interaction design process and methods; Human-centered computing / Interaction design / Interaction design process and methods / User interface design
• ISSN: 2573-0142; 2573-0142
• DOI: 10.1145/3676508

This paper investigates the relationship between menu design and hand positions in relation to the assessment of end users with main focus on usability, user preference, and potential adaptions to different hand positions. Sixteen (N=16) participants first participated in a co-design workshop, in which they proposed menu designs for different hand grips. Based on the design proposals, a selection of menu designs were derived and implemented in a mobile app prototype, on which a menu selection study was conducted to investigate performance and perceived usability of the menus in one-handed and two-handed interaction. The results include user ratings and performance, which highlight the need for mobile menus to be adapted for different hand positions. Based on that, we derive design recommendations for more adaptive, user-centric and ergonomic mobile menu designs to match the natural interactions of users.