Data tables
There has been feedback that one of the icons used within a table header, T to represent "Text", confuses uses as to what it is trying to convey. Some options have been proposed by the development team to improve this:
In the short term an alternative option will be selected and feedback gained from users as to whether it improves the understanding of it's purpose.
Looking at the bigger picture it raises a question as to whether using icons alongside text hinders or aids users in understanding what is trying to be conveyed within a component. For example there is the potential for icons to increase the mental load for a user if there is not an obvious connection to the icon and text. The quantity, repetition and presentation (is there a hierarchical difference when presented?) of icons could also be a distraction from focusing on more important features offered to users.
For example feedback could be gathered on whether the mental load is better with or without icons (open images in a new tab):
Icons
Reduced icons
Icons with hierarchy (light icon colour to lessen importance + heavier font weight for the text to make it stand out)
