No description available.

This paper explores the implications of metaphorical elements in the contextof physical products that coexist with a digital interface, through an empiricand theoretical approach. Further, problematic aspects of the use ofmetaphors in a digital space will be discussed, and two prototypes will becreated to investigate how icons are perceived in different contexts.In cooperation with home-security company Verisure, the prototypes will beproduced and usability tested. Fundamental interaction design principleswill be implemented in order to investigate the impact of metaphor in iconbasedinteraction. These findings will be discussed and processed into a setof key factors to consider when working with icons.

Online dating has transformed the way in which modern romance is perceived. As a consequence, creating trust on these digital platforms has become more important than ever before. One of the most popular ways to enhance users’ trust in digital settings is the process of verification, followed by obtaining a verification badge as a result. These icons have an established meaning that the user to which they belong has verified their identity. Yet, the influence that the design of verification badges on dating applications has on users’ trust remains unknown. In this thesis, the impact of badge design elements, specifically color and shape on users’ trust will be explored with the use of an online semi-structured survey. Participants are presented with three badge designs, differing in color and shape, prompting them to evaluate their perceived trustworthiness. By incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data, the research enables a mix of a comprehensive analysis of answers to open-ended questions that allow for a deeper understanding of the reasoning behind made choices, and a thorough examination of the close-ended ones, which represent the perceptions statistically. Through descriptive statistical analysis of quantitative data and thematic analysis of qualitative responses, this study aims to find patterns and correlations among the badges’ design attributes that enhance users’ trust. The results of this research strive to enhance comprehension of the influence that design elements have on user perceptions of trust within digital platforms, specifically within the domain of online dating applications. The results from this study show that both color and shape have an impact on trust between users and are heavily impacted by familiarity. This means that it is necessary to use them appropriately when designing dating application interfaces, to avoid confusion and increase the perceptions of trust. Findings also show that women tend to pay greater attention to the design of verification badges compared to men. The knowledge gained in this research may guide the enhancement of verification badge systems, promoting trust and assurance among online daters.