Cross-cultural user-interface design: what? so what? now what?

Abstract

CHI and other conferences recognize the importance of considering cross-cultural (including gender) communication issues in user-interface (UI) design. Classic texts about cultures are not sufficiently known in the SIGCHI community. Many consumer information appliances, or computer-based communication products, must be suitable for international, multi-cultural markets. The growth of and consequent immediate international access to the Web demand a response by UI designers to the issues of when and how user interfaces can be designed for global access yet account for local differences. Attendees will discuss with mentors challenges of designing UIs for international and/or multi-cultural use, in which metaphors, mental models, navigation, interaction, and/or appearance must be significantly adjusted to account for global and/or local needs. Issues to be discussed include the following:• What are the dimensions of culture? What research exists?• What are the differences among cultures, e.g., North American, European, Asian? How do they affect UIs?• How does we account for different references of icons, metaphors, organization, and navigation strategies?• Can we design locale-neutral user interfaces? What can/must be standardized or localized?• How can/should cultural diversity issues impact professional education?• Why do/don't businesses design for global markets?• How can we handle legal issues across cultures in the borderless Internet?