This assignment is intended for you to put into practice what you have studied i
ID: 3876781 • Letter: T
Question
This assignment is intended for you to put into practice what you have studied in chapter-1 Specifically, the objective is to enable you to define usability and user experience goals and to transform these and other design principles into specific questions to help evaluate an interactive product. Find an everyday handheld device, e.g. remote control, digital camera, smartphone, and examine how it has been designed, paying particular attention to how the user is meant to interact with it (a) From your first impressions, write down what first comes to mind as to what is good and bad about the way the device works. (b) Give a description of the user experience resulting from interacting with it (c) Based on your reading of this chapter and any other material you have come across, compile a set of usability and user experience goals that you think will be most relevant in evaluating the device. Decide which are the most important ones and explain why. (d) Translate cach of your set of usability and user experience goals into two or three specific questions. Then use them to assess how well your device fares (e) Repeat (c) and (d) but this time using the design principles outlines in the chapter. (f) Finally, discuss possible improvements to the interface used on the answers obtained for (d) and (e).
Explanation / Answer
The device that i choose for this is logitech harmony remote. This is a device that can be used to control everything in your house from equipments to the lights.
Looking at the design it looks a little overwhelming, but considering its use is controlling everything in your electronic inventory this design factor is necessary. The device works using wireless technology which enables the user to control equipment without having to be in the vicinity of it and the device also provide vibration feedback to aid in the functioning. The design includes a led display which provides information regarding every thing it is connected to.
The user experience is good because extensive research has been conducted before allowing the product in the market. Being a user myself, i had no difficulty just picking it up and using it instantly adding my devices and electronics to its inventory. It also worked using a smartphone app and provided with vibration feedback whenever confirming an action.
Usability goals include:-
DESIGN FACTOR
If the product is ergonomic to hold and use.
SIZE OF THE PRODUCT
If the product is as good for one smaller user as it is for bigger.
UNCLUTTERED INTERFACE
Is the user experience hindered due to any feature.
FEEDBACK
If the product gives any sort of feedback when it performs the necessary task.
EASE OF USE
If the device is easy to use by just about anybody.
Questions to check if the device fares well are:-
Is the design easy to use and helpful for the user’s understanding?
Yes the design is useful and helpful for the people to understand it and use. Not much help is then needed.
Does it provide feedback when it performs an action?
Yes it gives vibration feedback and visual confirmation when it performs an action
Is the product of a good enough size to be held by any body?
Yes the product is easy to hold and work with, no control is cluttered and everything runs from the front panel.
There is not much improvement needed to the design other than inclusion of macro buttons that do repeated functions easily and without any tinkering
Hope this helps...