How Do Older and Younger Users Understand Functions in Digital Interfaces? Toward Inclusive Functional Animation Through Image-Schematic Metaphors

Image-schematic metaphors (ISMs), as widely shared cognitive resources across user groups, play a key role in helping users understand abstract functional animations in digital interfaces. Based on 21 common functional concepts extracted from representative digital interfaces, this study identified 40 age-inclusive ISMs through prototype tasks involving 24 participants (12 older adults, 12 younger adults). Regarding the influence of user characteristics, the findings show that older users with lower digital literacy primarily rely on highly shared and prevalent ISMs, with relatively limited metaphor diversity in understanding interface animations. In contrast, users with stronger digital abilities, while capable of interpreting a wider range of metaphors, also frequently adopt these cross-group, widely accepted ISMs in practice. The study further proposes a four-quadrant model of inclusive design from a cognitive perspective, providing theoretical guidance for developing age-inclusive interface innovations and promoting inclusive design practices.