Explaining Modifications To The Design Based On Evaluation (2.2.4.3) - Unit 2: User Experience and Interactive Design (Project 2: Simple App/Website Interface Design)
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Explaining Modifications to the Design Based on Evaluation

Explaining Modifications to the Design Based on Evaluation

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Interactive Audio Lesson

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Importance of Modifications

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Today, we’re going to talk about why modification based on evaluation is crucial for design. Can anyone tell me why we should listen to user feedback?

Student 1
Student 1

Because users might find things that we didn't notice.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! It gives us insights we might miss. Can anyone think of a reason why making these modifications is important for our project?

Student 2
Student 2

If we don’t change things based on feedback, users might find our app difficult to use.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Correct! Usability is key, and modifications help us address challenges. Let's remember the acronym 'CARE' to focus on our user's needs: Consistency, Accessibility, Responsiveness, and Efficiency.

Student 3
Student 3

How can we know what specific modifications to make?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Great question! We’ll base our modifications on direct feedback from users and usability tests. Let’s document those!

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

To wrap up this session, remember that modifications are essential for improving our design based on the evaluation feedback.

Identifying Weaknesses and Proposing Changes

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Now let's discuss how to identify weaknesses from our evaluations. What should we focus on?

Student 4
Student 4

We should look for places where users got confused or made errors.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! Observing user behavior helps us identify these confusion points. Why is it essential to connect our changes directly to specific feedback?

Student 1
Student 1

So we can ensure that our changes really address the issues users faced?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Right again! For each proposed change, think of the format: what the issue is, how you’ll change it, and why that change will help. This forms a logical flow. Let's see a practical example: if users struggled to find the 'edit' button, we could increase its visibility.

Student 3
Student 3

Would we also keep track of our changes somehow?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Absolutely! Documenting our changes helps keep us organized and shows how we’re implementing feedback. Let’s summarize: Identify weaknesses, connect changes to feedback, and document everything.

Specific Examples of Modifications

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Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Let’s now look at specific examples of modifications. If we find out users are having issues with reaction times, what could we do?

Student 4
Student 4

We could make buttons more responsive or provide visual feedback like color changes when pressed.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Great point! Let’s say users reported not being able to find the 'Settings' easily, what modification could we make?

Student 2
Student 2

We could relocate it to the main menu or add a visible icon.

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Yes! And when we present these changes, we need to explain why they make the app betterβ€”linking the modification back to the user’s challenge. For example, 'Users had difficulty finding Settings; we’ve made it prominent in the main menu for easier access.' Remember, clear articulation helps stakeholders understand our design decisions!

Student 3
Student 3

So presenting these examples helps show how user-centered our design is?

Teacher
Teacher Instructor

Exactly! It's significant to demonstrate that our changes are based on user needs. Great session, everyone; let’s translate these ideas into our projects!

Introduction & Overview

Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.

Quick Overview

This section discusses how to articulate design changes based on user feedback and testing outcomes.

Standard

The importance of making design modifications after user evaluations is emphasized, focusing on specific changes needed to improve usability, accessibility, and overall user experience. Each modification is justified with reference to user feedback and observed challenges.

Detailed

In this section, we delve into the iterative nature of design, highlighting the need to modify your interface based on rigorous user evaluations. After testing your prototype with real users, it’s essential to document the proposed changes comprehensively. For every identified issue, designers should not only suggest actionable modifications but also provide a rationale linked directly to user feedback and usability problems encountered during testing. This approach demonstrates a commitment to solving real user challenges and enhances the product's usability and appeal. The effectiveness of design modifications is evaluated through clear, direct examples and justifications that reinforce the iterative cycle of design thinking.

Audio Book

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Proposing Specific Changes

Chapter 1 of 4

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Chapter Content

For each identified weakness, articulate a concrete, actionable modification you would make to your interface design. These modifications should directly address the problems uncovered during testing.

Detailed Explanation

This step involves analyzing the feedback received during user testing to determine specific areas that need improvement. For example, if users had trouble finding a certain feature, the designer must create a clear plan on how to make that feature more visible. This requires understanding both the feedback given and the design aspects that contributed to the users' difficulties.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it like a teacher providing feedback on a student's essay. If the teacher comments that the main idea of the essay is unclear, the student would need to clarify that idea in their revision to clearly communicate their thoughts.

Justification for Modifications

Chapter 2 of 4

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Chapter Content

Crucially, explain why each proposed change would improve the design. Directly link the modification back to the specific user feedback or observed usability issue. This demonstrates your understanding of the iterative design process and problem-solving based on evidence.

Detailed Explanation

Once modifications to the design are proposed, the next step is to justify why these changes are necessary. This involves referring back to the specific feedback from users. For instance, if users found a button hard to see, explaining that changing the button color would increase visibility helps show that changes are based on user needs and not just personal preference. This justification helps ensure that the design process is user-centered.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you're baking a cake and a friend tastes it but says it's too bland. If you decide to add more sugar based on their feedback, when explaining this change, you would say, 'I added more sugar because you mentioned that the cake tasted bland.' This makes it clear that your changes are based on someone else’s experience.

Examples of Modifications

Chapter 3 of 4

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Chapter Content

  1. Example 1 (Addressing discoverability): "The test showed that users struggled to locate the 'edit' function for assignments. To address this, I would modify the design to include a prominent 'Edit' button that appears directly when a user taps on an assignment, rather than requiring a swipe gesture which was not intuitive."
  2. Example 2 (Addressing accessibility/readability): "Some users reported difficulty reading the secondary text due to low contrast. I would adjust the colour palette to use a darker shade for all body text, ensuring sufficient contrast (e.g., a dark grey or black) against the light background to improve readability for all users."
  3. Example 3 (Addressing workflow confusion): "The sequence for setting reminders was unclear, causing users to get lost. I would refine the user flow by adding a clear 'Set Reminder' toggle switch directly within the 'Add Assignment' screen, and if activated, a simple time picker would appear on the same screen, making the process more integrated and intuitive."

Detailed Explanation

These examples list specific modifications based on user testing feedback. The first example targets a common problem where users don’t find features easilyβ€” the solution is to make the button more accessible and visible. The second example focuses on improving readability, which is a key component of accessibility, by adjusting text color. The final example tackles user flow confusion by streamlining the process within the app, which helps users understand how to complete tasks more easily without getting lost.

Examples & Analogies

Consider setting up a new store layout based on customer feedback. If customers can’t find the milk because it’s at the back of the store, the store owner might move it closer to the entrance. This way, the owner directly responds to customer difficulty by rearranging the store, just like modifying an app based on user feedback.

Evaluating the Overall Impact and Strengths of the Solution

Chapter 4 of 4

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Chapter Content

  1. Holistic Reflection on Problem Solving: Beyond specific modifications, reflect on the broader success of your design in addressing the initial problem statement. Did your solution effectively meet the core needs of your target user(s)?
  2. Strengths of the Current Design: Even with areas for improvement, highlight the positive aspects of your design that worked well during testing or that you are particularly proud of. (e.g., "The minimalist visual style was highly appreciated by users for its cleanliness," "The primary task of adding assignments was successfully completed by all users, demonstrating intuitive design for core functionality").
  3. Potential Positive Impact of the Solution: Discuss the theoretical benefits your app/website could bring if fully developed and implemented. How could it improve the lives of your target users or benefit the community? (e.g., "This app has the potential to significantly reduce student stress by providing a centralized and intuitive platform for academic organization, potentially leading to improved academic performance and better time management skills for future endeavours").
  4. Personal Learning and Growth as a Designer: Articulate what specific concepts (e.g., Information Architecture, Interaction Design principles, specific UI elements) and practical skills (e.g., wireframing, prototyping software proficiency, user testing) you acquired or significantly enhanced during this project.

Detailed Explanation

This segment highlights the importance of not just the modifications made to the design but also the successes achieved throughout the project. Reflecting on these topics allows the designer to recognize the effectiveness of their solutions and consider areas still needing improvement. Furthermore, it enhances personal skills and knowledge gained during the design process, which is crucial for growth as a designer.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a student who works hard on a science project. After getting feedback, they realize their presentation was clear, which they feel proud of (the strengths), but they also see they need to improve their experiment’s layout (the modifications). By acknowledging both sides, they become a better student for future projects, similar to how designers learn from their design experiences.

Key Concepts

  • Iterative Design: A design approach involving repeated cycles of prototyping, testing, and refinement.

  • User Feedback: Insights and comments from users that guide design modifications.

  • Usability: The degree to which a product meets the user’s expectations for effectiveness and ease of use.

Examples & Applications

Example: If users report difficulty accessing the settings menu, a proposed modification could be moving it to the main navigation bar to improve visibility.

Example: Users indicate that a button does not respond in a timely manner. A modification could be to enhance the button's response with immediate visual feedback.

Memory Aids

Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts

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Rhymes

To make design understand, listen to the user's hand. Modify what you find, and ease the user’s mind.

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Stories

Imagine a user trying to find a button in a crowded interface. They struggle so much - feeling frustrated. When they finally spot it, they cheer. This experience shows how clarity in design makes a happier user!

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Memory Tools

Remember 'FAST': Feedback, Analyze, Specify Changes, Test again - the cycle of effective design!

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Acronyms

Using 'DIGE' can help

Design

Identify

Gather feedback

Evaluate and Modify!

Flash Cards

Glossary

Modifications

Changes made to designs based on user feedback and evaluations.

Usability

A measure of how effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily a user can interact with a product.

User Feedback

Comments and insights provided by users about their experience with the design.

Iterative Design Process

A repetitive cycle of prototyping, testing, and modifying to improve a design.

Reference links

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