圖像(Icon)隨著時代的推演而有所轉變,並依照著技術的進步逐漸發展成熟。2008年蘋果公司創造了App Store,App應用軟體在短短五年間,數量蓬勃發展。App的圖像是使用者最先看到的視覺圖像,它是打開App的唯一入口,也同時代表著應用軟體的視覺形象,更影響著使用者下載率的高低。本研究從「圖像設計與應用」等理論出發,以蘋果公司App Store中上架的美國地區遊戲類App圖像為研究範圍,經篩選後得108個研究樣本,並進行內容分析法,建構遊戲類App圖像設計之設計要素,藉此推論目前App圖像設計之發展趨勢。結果歸納如下:(1)App圖像設計可分類為四大設計要素:分別為「簡潔性」、「顯著性」、「可識性」、「含意性」。(2)遊戲類App圖像主要呈現方式,多由遊戲角色、遊戲道具或場景來呈現。(3)美國地區遊戲類App圖像設計,多以明喻作為傳達的方式;若使用隱喻手法之圖像需引起觀者共鳴,避免使用者誤解。本研究統整出現今遊戲類App視覺設計要素、趨勢與設計建議,希望藉此研究結果提供相關設計師與產業之參考。
After the rapid rise of smart phones, icon design has been changing dramatically. Apple Inc. created the App Store in 2008, since then, Apps has been very prosperous in five years. App icons are the first visual image in the Apps download interface page, and also represent the visual image of Apps. An attractive icon design plays an important role between the Apps and users. This study was based on the ”icon design” theories and the research samples are chosen by Apple's App Store in the United States game category. Then use the content analysis method to construct the game App icon design elements and find the trends of the App icon design. The results are summarized as follows: (1) The study based on theories and summarized four design elements of game Apps icon design: ”Simplicity”, ”Significance”, ”Identification” and ”Meaning”. (2) Most of the game Apps icon main images are game characters, game props or game scene. (3) Most of the United States game Apps icon use ”Similes” to convey image content, it can help users recognize and notice an icon. ”Metaphor” is also a common way to communicate, but the images have to link or associate with users and reduce misunderstanding. The study propose App visual design elements, trends and design suggestions, providing designers and industry design reference.