Tons of catching up to do. It’s going to be a busy weekend. Yay, starting class with a quiz. Today’s class: paper prototypes.
What is paper prototyping? A method of brainstorming, designing, and testing user interfaces. Many quick iterations are developed, tested and refined. The design team tests the prototype on users by “playing” computer. Storyboard vs. Prototype: What’s the difference? Storyboard are user view mockups. Prototypes are user view mockups with data.
Example prototype: a post it note to design a cellphone’s stop watch, and all it’s functions and status. This is interaction design (figuring out what the sequence of actions are, what’s the response, is it easy to understand and useful?
Paper prototyping testing roles: User (external non-team member): Asked to attempt tasks by “clicking” (touching) the prototype. Computer: Changes the prototype to reflect user’s choices. Stays neutral. Facilitator: Directs the user by asking them to perform tasks, making them feel comfortable, and guiding the session. Observer(s): Take notes on the session.
Scenario & Tasks: Scenario is a story set in real life (“You’re at a party and meet Mary for the first time. You wish to meet up with her to attend the new art exhibit at SFMOMA). A task is an actionable goal that involves steps the user takes to accomplish (e.g., Put Mary in your phonebook).
Facilitator’s script: Greeting & intro to usability study. “Not testing you”. If something is wrong it’s not the testee’s fault, it’s the designer’s fault. “Can stop at any time”. You don’t want them to feel forced. “Speak aloud what you’re thinking”. This is info you need to know for your design.
A pre-test for demographic info and a post test for impressions and suggestions help give you additional data needed for your research. What would they change? It’s like another study in of itself.
Homework assignment: Do a paper prototype for a cellphone interface for an address book. Group project. Be at school on Saturday at 7:30pm in the library.
Buttons and t-shirts
Robots are everywhere. Enough to build an army. I must record them all.
