Tissue

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Paper Towels, Paper Towel Dispenser, Hand Towels

Category

Public Facilities, Hygiene

Message / Function

To indicate a distributor of paper towels

	Source	Description
	UIC 413	Rectangular slot with paper projecting, hand seizing paper from side, all in outline
	DB 2017	Rectangular slot with paper projecting, hand seizing paper from side, all in outline
	CNIS	Rectangular slot with paper projecting (in outline), hand seizing paper from side
	ÖBB 2007	Oval slot with paper projecting, hand seizing paper from below
	Avanti LID	Horizontal rectangle with folded paper projecting, hand seizing paper from side below
	BS 8501:2002	Horizontal round bar with paper projecting, hand seizing paper from side below
	Vector Win	Frontal view of paper towel dispenser in outline showing multiple details
	IGraphics	Frontal view of paper towel dispenser in outline showing a few details

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

Searching the internet for the pictograms regarding the referents Tissue or Paper Towels, most results displayed are probably more suitable for the referent Toilet Paper. There is only little variation concerning the image contents of the pictograms shown in the table above: in most cases a slot with paper projecting is shown, plus a hand seizing the paper from below. A few icons have a stronger focus on the dispenser for the paper towels.

In our research we discovered that test results available for this referent are rather sparse:

In a paper on influencing factors concerning the comprehensibility of graphical symbols conducted in China (Zou et al., 2015) also a pictogram for the referent Tissue, labeled CNIS in the table above, was examined. While no data on the level of comprehensibility for this variant is presented in this paper, the authors report that - in contrast to many other pictograms examined - no significant relationship between education level and comprehensibility was found.

Recommendations

Due to the fact that data from research is insufficient, we recommend to examine the basic concepts shown above using a Comprehension Test. This study should deliver useful data for recommending the best pictogram. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories of the Comprehension Test should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs.

Tests of pictograms of referent Tissue

Zou, CY., Zhang, F., & Hu, H. (2015): Analysis on the Influencing Factors of the Comprehensibility of Graphical Symbols. In: Stephanidis, C. (eds) HCI International 2015 - Posters’ Extended Abstracts. HCI 2015. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 529. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-21383-5_121.