UCD Class Blog

KLM Model

In class, we discussed the KLM (Keystroke-level model) way of estimating performance of different interfaces depending on the number of clicks, points, mental preparation, drawing points, and hand relocations required. In class, I faced off against Chance to complete a form on Shaun’s test code and got destroyed. I think he took 14 seconds, where I took 21 seconds to fill out the form, which was closer to what our classmates calculated to be an expected completion time.

Gesture design

In class, we discussed what makes gestures useful and easy to execute, and were tasked with designing our own gesture for a task. In cars, my table discussed gestures that could be associated with driving. My favorite alternative gesture was flicking someone off could be an alternative way to blare your horn at them. Alternatively, we could have taps on the back of the steering wheel with the right hand skip forward to the next song, if applicable, so that driver hands do not need to leave the wheel to navigate music.

Usability heuristics: email inbox

In class, we talked about what some common heuristics for an email inbox were. Among many things, we discussed the organization of mail into folders, usuall managed on the left side. In order to start writing a new email, there is usually a bigger “compose” button that is differentiated by color.

Moreover, once you’re typing the email, the design of the email box is such that one works from top to bottom, starting with addressing the letter, having a greeting or subject line, then proceeding with the body of the message. Once all that is done, you can send the email by hitting the send button below all these entries.

Visual Design

Usability

Study buddy prototype

The study buddy app paper prototype we did in class.

Project storyboard practice

Here is a practice storyboard of someone interacting with our project design.

Prototyping

Sketching practice

The first practice sketch we had was for an App to share your location with friends.

The second object we practiced sketching was another version of the good ole’ Apple TV remote from day 1.

Interview practice

For this activity, Lucy interviewed me on activities I like to do. Being me, I talked about playing soccer and running, and most of her questions were directed at understanding how often I played and what the culture of my team was like. She asked how long I had played soccer and directed and adjusted her questions towards understanding the context in which I played soccer in order to understand why I love it.

Sketching and storyboarding

Cultural probe design practice

For our project, we are interested in designing something to make sorting waste easier and more accurate. One major thing we need to understand with this is how people interact with their waste.

For a cultural probe related to our project, we can give volunteers recycling and compost bins to use in their house, observing where they place these bins (in relation to the landfill bin they already presumably have) and noting what waste items, if any, make their way into the recycling and compost bins.

Interviews

Google VR headset personas

Formative research

Users and tasks

This week, I got to work with a handful of people, including (but not limited to… I didn’t catch all the names) Vinitha, Lucas, Isabella, and Adam.

The deep dive

For class this week, we were asked to watched a video on the IDEO deep dive.

Introduction

Hi, I’m Jessie. My pronouns are she/her and I’m starting my 3rd year in the CS Theory group.