Metaphors in User Interface Development: Methods and Requirements for Effective Support

In this paper we will address the problem of metaphor usage from an engineering viewpoint. Developers need support in carrying out the activities in course of an metaphor-oriented and metaphor-based design approach. We will first present a procedural model of the necessary activities during the design (section 2). Then we give requirements of metaphors regarding some quality aspects from the user's and designer's viewpoint (section 3). In section 4 an outline of support modules is developed which can be used as a requirements framework for future metaphor-oriented design environments.