Hci-Class on Dr. Hitesh Sarda

Prototyping

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:00:00 +0000

There are different stages of prototyping, which increase in fidelity and time taken to create. Therefore it is important to start with low fidelity tools and move further as the ideas are more concrete. Some of these tools are

Story-boarding
Creating Paper Prototypes
Digital Mock-ups
Wizard of Oz
Video Prototypes

Story-boarding

This technique involves rough sketches which tell a story. It should have the stage (people, task being done), the script (actions, sequences of steps) and the outcome (fulfilled motivations, satisfaction). Since these are lowest fidelity tools, a harsh timelines, like 10min per storyboard, fells keep the focus and discovering various options.

HCI: Need Finding

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

It is the process of observing people to discover their needs, goals, and values. Although the course if about “Human Computer Interaction”, the process of need finding is relevant to developing new products or even new businesses.

A good starting point for any new product is to clearly identify an existing problem or need. That’s because finding a big problem and need often yields important untapped opportunities. Observing people also helps build empathy and think from their point of view. So, how do we observe people and identify their needs?

HCI: Evaluating designs

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

There are several methods to evaluate a design:

Usability studies

This could be informal, watch and learn or formal usability labs.
They offer good learning and uncover quirks, bugs or false assumtions.
it is not the same as user’s using it to perform real work in real environment
difficult to compare alternatives
experimental bias

Surveys

quickly gets feedback from a large number of users
relatively easy to compare alternatives
No need to build prototype, a screenshot or mockup will do.
There is a difference between what people say they’ll do and what they actually do.

Focus groups

gather a small group of people to discuss a design or idea.
could be difficult due to group dynamics or if the subject makes people uncomfortable

Feedback from Experts

peer review
dogfooding
heuristic evaluation

Comparative experiments

taking two or more distinct options and comparing their performance to each other.
observe actual behaviour as opposed to self report (in surveys)
it can be better than usability studies since it compares multiple alternatives.
but you can’t observe people like in usability study.

Participant observation

observe people in their actual work environment

Simulations

Useful when alternatives can be mathematically evaluated against design goals
Allows lots of alternatives to be compared

Finally

The method of evaluation to be used for the specific design goal depends on these (often conflicting) parameters:

Human computer interaction - introduction

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

I am currently taking the Human Computer Interaction class, and unlike last time, will make notes during the course and not after.

What is Human Computer Interaction?

HCI is the design, implementation and evaluation of user interfaces.

Design

Good design is a pleasure to use; it increase efficiency and prodcutivity. Whereas bad design can be frustrating and in extreme cases can even costs lives.

Design using Prototypes

Prototyping is the single most important strategy for effective design. It should focus on the goals and not get stuck with some (current fad) design idea.