This document summarizes a graduation thesis presentation about the efficacy of technical illustrations in a technical communication environment. The presentation studied how to most effectively design body and object positions in user manuals for second language speakers using a minimal text approach. It analyzed user accuracy ratings of images showing different bat positions, angles, and heights. The results showed higher accuracy for canonical three-quarter views. While preliminary results supported some viewpoints over others, the data was inconclusive. Future work could analyze additional actions and postures to provide clearer guidance on effective illustration design.

1. Efficacy of Technical Illustrations in
a Technical Communication
Environment
Masato Nozawa (s1170033)
Technical Communication Lab
University of Aizu
February 2013 1Graduation Thesis Presentation

2. Overview
— Introduction
— Problem
— Method
◦ Research tool
◦ Participants
◦ Data Collection
◦ Data Analysis
— Results
— Discussion
— Conclusion and Future Work
February 2013 2Graduation Thesis Presentation

3. Introduction
— What is mental imagery?
Our general understanding of how different objects
functions in space without direct visualization.
— Pursue a mental rotation.
This is the ability to rotate two-dimensional and three-
dimensional objects in space but as an internal
representation of the mind.
February 2013 3Graduation Thesis Presentation

4. Problem
— How do we design body/object positions
in user manuals most effectively for
second language speakers such that a
minimalist text approach is viable?
— How do we enhance a motor skill
efficiently by using user manual?
February 2013 4Graduation Thesis Presentation

5. Research tools 1
— Poser Figure Artist software
This is used to design body positions and
angles.
February 2013 5Graduation Thesis Presentation

6. Research tools 2
— SPSS software
This is a software package used for statistical analysis. In
this study, it was used to measure users’ accuracy with
different body angles (5 positions), height of the bat and
action positions (holding versus hitting).
February 2013 6Graduation Thesis Presentation

7. Participants
･41 subjects(student of Aizu university).
These subjects had no pervious experience with design
analysis or perspective studies.
February 2013 7Graduation Thesis Presentation

8. Data collection
･ 41subjects took part in the experiment and each subject rated 40
image types, divided into two blocks of 20 each.
This study considered only one set of analysis (20 image
combinations): Bat positions (holding and hitting; chest and waist
height and 5 angular rotations).
February 2013 8Graduation Thesis Presentation

9. Data Analysis – Mean Accuracy Scores
February 2013 9Graduation Thesis Presentation

10. Result 1
.64
.66
.68
.70
.72
.74
.76
.78
.80
.82
.84
.86
.88
.90
.92
.94
Holding chest
front
Holding chest
1/3 side
Holding chest
side
Holding chest
1/3 back
Holding chest
back
mean
mean
Maximum value: .93
Minimum value: .83
Holding - Chest
February 2013 10Graduation Thesis Presentation

11. Result 2
.64
.66
.68
.70
.72
.74
.76
.78
.80
.82
.84
.86
.88
.90
.92
.94
Hitting chest
front
Hitting chest
1/3 side
Hitting chest
side
Hitting chest
1/3 back
Hitting chest
back
mean
mean
Maximum value: .85
Minimum value: .66
Hitting - Chest
February 2013 11Graduation Thesis Presentation

12. Result 3
.64
.66
.68
.70
.72
.74
.76
.78
.80
.82
.84
.86
.88
.90
.92
.94
Holding waist
front
Holding waist
1/3 side
Holding waist
side
Holding waist
1/3 back
Holding waist
back
mean
mean
Maximum value: .93
Minimum value: .85
Holding - Waist
February 2013 12Graduation Thesis Presentation

13. Result 4
.64
.66
.68
.70
.72
.74
.76
.78
.80
.82
.84
.86
.88
.90
.92
.94
Hitting waist
front
Hitting waist
1/3 side
Hitting waist
side
Hitting waist
1/3 back
Hitting waist
back
mean
mean
Maximum value: .93
Minimum value: .68
Hitting - Waist
February 2013 13Graduation Thesis Presentation

14. Discussion
The data as obtained from this study remains
inconclusive as to whether there could be a strict
preference for canonical viewpoints showing three-
quarter views and depth perceptions.
However, preliminary indications suggest that canonical
viewpoints have higher levels of accuracy, along with
some other combinations.
Further analysis of body heights and angular
combinations are required for future studies.
February 2013 14Graduation Thesis Presentation

15. Conclusion and future work
My main purpose of this study is aimed at carrying
forward the studies performed by Krull et al (2004) and
Krull and Roy (2005).
— Future work
ü Various actions
1. Carrying 2. Lifting 3. Pulling 4. Pushing
ü Differentiate between postures
1. Chair 2. Ball 3. Box 4. Handle
5. Sphere/Triangle
February 2013 15Graduation Thesis Presentation

16. February 2013 Graduation Thesis Presentation 16
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