Dustin Stevens-Baier
COMP 449
Assignment #6
In this assignment, we want you to design an innovative timepiece for your own use. This could be in the form of a wristwatch, a mantelpiece clock, an electronic clock, or any other kind of clock you fancy. Your goal is to be inventive and explanatory.
(a) Think about the interactive product you are designing: what do you want it to do fro you? Find 3-5 potential users and ask them what they would want. Write a list a list of requirements for the clock, together with some usability criteria based on the definition of usability used in Chapter 1.
Me: I would want the clock to tell the time in digital so that it easy to read right off the bat. I would want it to light up at bight so I can see it easier in the dark. I would also want it to be capable of holding multiple alarms so that I can be woken up at different times. I would like it to be small enough to fit easily on my bed side table but not to small so that I smash it in the morning. I would also like it to have both an alarm and music capabilities so I can change what I have to wake up to.
Person 1: They would like it to be digital as well. They want the display to be red or bright green so that it is easy to see at night. They also want it to be really loud since they have a hard time waking up. They would like the alarm to beep at different pulses so that they don't incorporate it into their dreams. They would also like the outside to be black because that is their favorite color.
Person 2: They would like the display to be digital but have the option for a clock because they think that is cool. They would like the display to have a control for how bright it displays the time because they don't want to have trouble falling asleep at night. They also would like the option for music too wake up to.
Person 3: They wanted the clock to be digital and have really big numbers so they could see them without their glasses. They also requested some bright letters to make them stand out better. They wanted to be able to change the volume and alternate between music and beeping.
Requirements
1. Digital seems to be the way to go.
2. Big numbers that are bright green or red.
3. volume control.
4. Include a radio.
5. The size should be 10L"x6D"x3H" or there about.
6. Should include multiple alarm capabilities
7. Should also include different alarm settings.
Usability Criteria
1. Learnability- should be very easy to learn
2. Efficiency- common task should be quick to do
3. Memorability- The task should be easy to remember how to do it so the user can set there alarm after learning once.
(b) Look around for similar devices and seek out other sources of inspiration that you might find helpful. Make a note of any findings that are interesting, useful or insightful.
I noticed that I have a snooze button. I never use this and I thus I did not think of including it. I have no idea why the two people I talk to would not think of it but they didn't also. It seems like something that should be included though. Another option that my alarm clock does not have is the ability to go backwards when setting the time and the alarm my new clock has to have this. Another thing I noticed is that there needs to be a way to distinguish between the am and pm time.
(c) Sketch out some designs for the clock. Try to develop at least two distinct alternatives that both meet your set of requirements.
Design 1: The first design would be black and the dimensions that are specified above. It would have bright green numbers include a radio and have the option to control the volume. The alarm would be set off of the same control so that you could switch from radio to off to alarm (buzz) to alarm (radio). The volume control would also control the alarm. There is an option for two different alarm times. You can hold down the time button, alarm1 button, or the alarm2 button to set them. Then holding the right side of the minutes button, or the hours button will add minutes or hours, while holding down the left side of the buttons will negate hours and minutes. This model has a simple snooze button. These settings make it easy to set time and alarms. All button are on the top of the clock with the display facing the user. The volume control is on the side. This option is electrical with the capabilities for a battery backup.
Design 2: A lot of the design will be similar because it does need to meet the same specs. This particular model could go with red numbers instead of the green. It could also have a spinning wheel to change the time spin one way and it adds minutes spin the other and it subtracts. This clock has a snooze option that allows you to set the length of time you want to snooze for. It also has the same alarm capabilities but it provides additional buttons that allow you to turn one alarm off and the other on. This model is also brown instead of black. These setting also make it easy to set time and alarms. All buttons and the volume control are on the top of the clock. This option is battery operated.
(d) Evaluate the two designs, using your usability criteria and by role playing an interaction with your sketches. Involve potential users in the evaluation, if possible. Does it do what you want? Is the time or other information being displayed always clear?
Me: In looking at both designs I see that the first one is a color that is more popular today. It has a simple snooze button which works for me but might not for everybody. It has battery backup which is nice since it can run off of both. The setting the time description in print looks a little confusing but when explaining it with a sketch isn't difficult and is easy to remember. The first device has the color benefit, and the backup battery benefit. The second model is battery operated which means it won't go out when there is a power outage but it could die on you. This is a definitely negative. It does however, have two alarm control which is a positive. It is easy to set the time and alarm also and remembering is easy. It also has different sleep modes which is nice for some people. Since they both appear to meet all the usability criteria it basically comes down to which functions do you like best since I don't really like brown and I do like black and the black one has an electrical cord and battery I choose device one.
Friend: In looking at both of these design he liked the black one better he said that the way the time and alarms are set are just like the on he has at home and thus wouldn't have to learn anything new. He also liked the black and said only having batteries is a bad thing since he never remembers to get batteries at the store anyway. He agreed that they both appeared to be easy to use and understand but said his choice came down to comfort and he felt most comfortable with the first device.