The influence of vendor's style on mobile phone usability

The main subject of this study is the vendor s style in user interface design of contemporary mobile phones. It is investigated both from designers points of view and users points of view. Vendor s style is concerned in the whole process of user interface design as consistency, building the vendor s identity. UI designers have to understand the difference in the competitions style in order to create a well-designed style with high usability. From the user s point of view, the vendor s style in user interface has a significant role in the initial usability when replacing a mobile phone. Two research questions that have arisen from these concerns about the vendor s style and usability: 1.What is the vendor s style of the user interface in a mobile phone?; 2.How does a vendor s style in the user interface affect initial usability of mobile phones? In addition to usability, cultural influences in the vendor s style are approached. Three authoritative manufacturers are selected based on different cultural backgrounds.The third research question about relationship between a vendor s culture and style in UI is as follows:Is there a cultural influence in the vendor s style?