This project is part of the HCI II module. The project is about designing a product around the right age group.
To come up with the product we were going to develop, a brainstrming session was held. This elaborated on the different ideas we had. After that we conducted a background research on the area of interest of the product decided and provided the proper feedback. Next we came up with the initial requirements for the product.
Personas had to be devised in order to help us undesrtand better the needs of the age group that the product would satisfy.
Publish
Then the first prototypes were developed in order for us to implement the initial ideas we had on the requirements. Constructive critisism was then made on each prototype in order to revise the features and design and stregthen the features and usability of the final product.
Then the final protoype was developed and given to each persona for testing in order to determine possible flaws in design and functionality. Each persona had different experiences with the product. This helped us reconsider the features and usability that the product should have. Then we designed the final product around the feedback obtained from the prototype testing. A name was also decided for our product. In the end, a heuristic evaluation was conducted in order to conclude the project and the final outcome of the product.
Friday 30 March 2007
Heuristic Evaluation
- Feedback: The pen provides the necessary feedback to the user at all times. The LCD screen when on standby, prompts the user to say a word. When the word is spoken, the screen displays each step clearly. Also each step can be heard through the speaker as well. So the user gets feedback from the product whenever that is needed and using two different output methods.
- Everyday language: The pen interacts with the user in a very simple manner and in ways that children fully understand. The output from the screen is the word that the child would try and write down and simple instructions like "speak word" and "well done!". Even when the child does not understand what is written, sound commands make it clear to him/her.
- Undo: If the user writes down one letter of a word wrong, the procedure starts from the beginning. Since the child actually writes down every letter, if he/she makes a mistake, the only next logical step, is to start again from the beginning. If the pen prompted the user to continue writing the word, even if the user made a mistake, the final outcome would not represent correctly the actual word spoken.
- Consistency: A consistency problem would not affect the final product's performance, since the pen runs on its own hardware and software. The only problem that could arise, is the incompatiblity of the sync program and station, but these could easily be overcome. The sync station connects to the pc via USB that almost every single computer has these days. The actual sync program could be written in a platform independent language, such as Java.
- Recognition not recall: Every step is clearly presented to the user, in the two alternative ways we described above.
- Simple design: The operation of the pen is as simple as going through a game. Screen output is very minimal and only the necessary inforamtion is displayed to the user. Animations at the beginning and the end of each word, instruct/reward the user. They are simple enough for children to understand.
- Documentation: The child can pick the pen and use it straight away. The one-button configuration, keeps things simple and clear. The screen and speaker ouput give the essential guidance to the user.
Naming the product
We figured it was about time to name our product. The selection of the name is important because it has to be approachable to children. The name must not be difficult to pronounce for the ease of children. Moreover the name should be catchy so that it can be remebered easily.
There were a few names suggested including PenPal, WriteFriend and Speaking Pen. We finally decided to call the pen SpellMii.
There were a few names suggested including PenPal, WriteFriend and Speaking Pen. We finally decided to call the pen SpellMii.
Prototype redesign - Revised
After the testing of the prototype we decided on changing some details that caused problems with it's use.
Although the weight caused some minor discomfort at first, the fact that the children seemed to get used to it lead to the decision of leaving the weight as is as to avoid redesigning the components, since we managed to work it down to the bare minimum and removing any components would mean losing functionality.
The button functionality was the first item to be discussed for changing. The new button usage would work as follows:
- Single button press to turn on the pen from the off state.
- When turned on pen is in word retrieval mode (awaits word to be spoken)
- At any time during the on state, pressing the button resets the pen to word retrieval mode.
- Shutting down is done by holding the button pressed while the pen is on.
- Alternatively if the pen is left idle for a certain period of time (1 minute) it goes into standby mode with limited power consumption and if left idle for 3 minutes it shuts down completely.
The pen design was another part that was redesigned. We changed the shape to have a smoother transition between the thin and thicker parts to make it more comfortable for holding and writing with.
The screen functionality would stay as described in earlier posts. Every time the user writes a letter correctly, the next letter would appear and wait for the user to write it. Should the user write the wrong letter, the input procedure would start from the beginning.
All other elements seemed to work well during the testing so no further redesign was required.
Although the weight caused some minor discomfort at first, the fact that the children seemed to get used to it lead to the decision of leaving the weight as is as to avoid redesigning the components, since we managed to work it down to the bare minimum and removing any components would mean losing functionality.
The button functionality was the first item to be discussed for changing. The new button usage would work as follows:
- Single button press to turn on the pen from the off state.
- When turned on pen is in word retrieval mode (awaits word to be spoken)
- At any time during the on state, pressing the button resets the pen to word retrieval mode.
- Shutting down is done by holding the button pressed while the pen is on.
- Alternatively if the pen is left idle for a certain period of time (1 minute) it goes into standby mode with limited power consumption and if left idle for 3 minutes it shuts down completely.
The pen design was another part that was redesigned. We changed the shape to have a smoother transition between the thin and thicker parts to make it more comfortable for holding and writing with.
The screen functionality would stay as described in earlier posts. Every time the user writes a letter correctly, the next letter would appear and wait for the user to write it. Should the user write the wrong letter, the input procedure would start from the beginning.All other elements seemed to work well during the testing so no further redesign was required.
Critical appraisal of prototype
Through the testing of the prototype with the children it was realised that the pen was easy to use and appealing. Some of the children thought of the pen as a toy and that motivated them to try it out. However there was a mishap with one of the children that led to a damaged prototype due to frustration. This behaviour could be avoided with a little more supervision but it was tolerated for the purposes of the prototype testing.
The children interacted with the pen pretty well. Children easily understood what they had to do and what the next action was. In addition the messages of the pen were received with excitement. The LCD screen proved to be in the right position and it was easily read.
The pen was a bit heavier than what the children were used to but that did not make it uncomfortable to use. Moreover when the children spent a few minutes with the pen the weight was not an issue.
The functionality of the button of the pen was not as easy as expected. Some children had problems turning the pen on as they did not know that they needed to hold the button pressed for a few seconds. To remedy that it was decided that the pen would turn on and await a word with a single button press. Moreover a single button press at the middle of a spoken word resets the pen to word acceptance mode. The pen enters stand by mode if it is left unused for a period of time and after a longer period it shuts down completely.
The children seemed comfortable writing with the pen and they did not mind the thicker part in the centre of the pen. However they felt a bit uncomfortable in the part where the transition is made from the thin tip of the pen to the thick centre part. Therefore it was decided to design a smoother transition of thickness from tip to centre part.
The children interacted with the pen pretty well. Children easily understood what they had to do and what the next action was. In addition the messages of the pen were received with excitement. The LCD screen proved to be in the right position and it was easily read.
The pen was a bit heavier than what the children were used to but that did not make it uncomfortable to use. Moreover when the children spent a few minutes with the pen the weight was not an issue.
The functionality of the button of the pen was not as easy as expected. Some children had problems turning the pen on as they did not know that they needed to hold the button pressed for a few seconds. To remedy that it was decided that the pen would turn on and await a word with a single button press. Moreover a single button press at the middle of a spoken word resets the pen to word acceptance mode. The pen enters stand by mode if it is left unused for a period of time and after a longer period it shuts down completely.
The children seemed comfortable writing with the pen and they did not mind the thicker part in the centre of the pen. However they felt a bit uncomfortable in the part where the transition is made from the thin tip of the pen to the thick centre part. Therefore it was decided to design a smoother transition of thickness from tip to centre part.
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