Dimensions of visual interaction design

We refine our design methodology for visual interactive systems based on the visual sentence theory. We explore the dimensions of time and space in visual interaction and discuss the importance of the notions of scaffold and frame of reference. Usable visual systems are realised by designing an augmented version of the user task visual language and a scaffold visual language supporting user navigation and action execution. However, the frame effect, i.e. user's perception of persistent characteristic structures in different images, must be explicitly considered, to avoid user disorientation. Some examples of positive and negative use of the frame of reference are included and some design guidelines are derived.