Visual search is best for screens that are used often.Visual search implies that all the controls or information are displayed on screen. The search is visual; the operator simply scans the screen display.
Visual search is convenient for repetitive searching because once the users are familiar with the design, the users have direct access to the control or information.
Visual search is inconvenient for an infrequent search of information beyond the capacity of the user’s short-term memory. It is not applicable for:
Inconsistent data presentation, when the data is the result of queries or when the location on screen is not fixed
Occasional search, for users who see the screen for the first time.
In both cases, when looking for a particular item, the users cannot see the forest for the trees. They may waste too much time and mental effort in examining and evaluating many irrelevant items.
Visual search is best for screens that are used often.
Visual search is most effective when the items are accompanied by icons.
Updated on 19 Jul 2016.