WEEK 22 Usability Testing and Prototyping

Usability Testing and Prototyping

Learning Outcomes

• Prototyping in Usability Engineering: Understand the importance and methodologies of prototyping.
• Methods of Prototyping: Identify pros and cons of different prototyping methods.
• Usability Testing: Define usability testing and its significance in the design process.
• Prototyping in User-Centered Design: Recognize the role of prototyping in iterative design methodologies.

What is Prototyping?

• Definition: A prototype allows stakeholders to interact with a design, exploring its usability (Rogers, Sharp and Preece, 2023).
• Conceptual Design: Prototypes manifest design concepts, facilitating discussions and evaluations.

When and Why to Prototype

• Design Process: Search for acceptable designs in an extensive design space. Prototyping aids in:
• Working out details and testing concepts.
• Building features quickly and cost-effectively.
• Providing concrete representations of inputs, processes, and outputs.
• Encouraging user feedback for iterative improvements.
• Motto: "Fail fast to succeed sooner" as advised by Scott Jensen.

Types of Prototypes

1. Low Fidelity: Basic representations, easy to create, focus on conceptual aspects.
2. High Fidelity: Closer to the final product, includes functionality but more resource-intensive.
3. Rapid Prototyping: Quickly creates physical models layer by layer.
4. Vertical vs Horizontal:

• Horizontal: Broad UI representation with limited backend functionality.
• Vertical: Depth in specific features, useful for proof-of-concept.

1. Chauffeured: Interactive paper prototypes demonstrated by the designer.

Low-Fidelity Prototypes

• Characteristics:

• Utilize sketches and models focusing on appearance and system feel.

• Inexpensive and swift to produce, aiding in iterations.

• Can lack detailed interaction insights.

• Methods of Low-Fidelity Prototyping:

• Storyboarding: Series of visuals showing task progression.

• Index cards: Each card represents one screen; useful in web development.

• Sketching and Wireframing: Individual screens illustrated with notes and annotations.

• Wizard of Oz: Human operator simulates software responses to user actions.

Example: The Palm Pilot

• Jeff Hawkins used a wooden mockup of a Palm Pilot to gauge usability before developing a working prototype.

High-Fidelity Prototypes

• Characteristics: More closely represent the final product and provide functionality; they can be costly and time-consuming to modify.
• Examples of High-Fidelity Prototypes:
• Physical Computing Kits: Combine programming with physical materials (e.g., Arduino).
• Software Development Kits: Tools for developing applications specific to platforms (e.g., Java Development Kit for Android).
• Interactive Digital Prototypes: Engage users in a functional experience of the product.

Prototyping Tools

• Range of Software Tools: From low to high fidelity, including:
• POP, Miro, PowerPoint, Adobe XD, Figma, Axure, etc.

Rapid Prototyping

• Definition: Creates 3D objects layer-by-layer; aids in visual evaluation but can be expensive and require advanced skills.

Vertical vs. Horizontal Prototyping

• Horizontal Prototypes: Present the complete UI of a system while lacking full functionality.
• Vertical Prototypes: Focus on limited features in depth, useful for enhancing backend performance and data links.

Chauffeured Prototypes

• Definition: The designer walks users through a paper-and-pencil interface, improvising as necessary. Useful early in the design process but can be challenging for the user.

Linking Prototyping with Usability Engineering Principles

• Use annotations on wireframes to provide functional explanations and design rationale.

Usability Testing

• Definition: Evaluating a design's ease of use with representative users.
• Methodology:
• Facilitators assign tasks; participants provide feedback on the interface.
• Example tasks could involve troubleshooting errors or navigating websites.

Prototyping in User-Centered Design

• Star Lifecycle: Incorporates phases such as evaluation, prototyping, and implementation within design methodologies.
• Double Diamond Model: Stresses the importance of solving the right problem in the correct manner through iterative designs.

Homework Assignments

• Tools: Visio and Figma for designing prototypes in the lab. Essential to locate specific resources and watch tutorials before attending.

Summary

• Defined prototyping, discussed both low and high-fidelity techniques along with their advantages and disadvantages.
• Defined usability testing and distinguished it from other evaluation methods.
• Explored the relevance of prototyping within iterative user-centered design processes.

Further Reading

• Suggested texts and research articles examining various aspects of interaction design and usability engineering for deeper understanding.