Catch up Prototype

Personal Experience

Just before the paper prototype testing was very insecure what people are we going to meet and how are they going to comprehend our proposal. I had some doubt, but after the first test subject walked in I started to feel more confident. I believe that the people we tested were going to feel a bit careful with what they say in order not to offend our work. I got overall, sufficient results with the “Catch up” application. There were things that the users did not understand and they wondered what they were doing because they could not interact with the prototype. This is reasonable, since it was a paper prototype.

Evaluation (planning)

In my experience we needed a bit more time to be fully prepared. Our 3^rd prototype was done in a flash due to unexpected reasons. This is a variable that we cannot predict but we know that it is out there in the future. The time was not enough to interact with the users deeply enough to get what they feel and think. There was a language barrier in some situations which was avoided by simplifying words and sentences. Most of the applicants(mainly young people) had an idea how to use the application but some had no clue what was going on(mostly older people).

Questions (Catch Up)

1)    Did he/she try to type?

Yes – 0

No – 8

2)    What do you think about type or click in this context?

Click - 7

Type - 1

Typing is more annoying and they try to avoid it if possible. Participants stated that clicking is more convenient for them because it is easier.

3)    What color gets your attention the most? Why?

4xThe blue color on the clock appeals to me the most. It feels more relaxing.

3x I like the red on the Google maps. It is clear that it is important and the red color is showing that.

1x I don’t know. I don’t know why(smile).

4)    What would be easier click a date, to type a date or to use voice command? Why?

2x Voice command

-       I like to speak

-       I try to use voice command more often

6x Clicking

-       It is faster

-       It is less involving

-       I create the illusion that I am going through the process faster.

-       I don’t have to type or speak

5)    Did you like the pin the location component? Why?

-       I like the idea but I am not sure if I know the map well enough.

-       It is very cool.I like the simplicity.

-       I like that you can use your fingers and not type.

-       I sometimes don’t know where things are on the map. My orientation is very bad.

6)    Did you find the group selection option at the end?

-       It was not clear to me how this worked.Well,I cannot click on it and see what it is.

-       I think it has something to do with friends but I am not sure how this works.

-       I guess this button does this….(Not sure what she is doing.)

-       What is that?

7)    What detail in the prototype did you like? Why?

-       I liked how you did not have to type, only click. I am tired of typing.

-       I liked how you can pin the location very fast. It is kind of new to me in an app.

-       I liked the clock idea. It is hard to use from first glance but once you figure it out it is genius.(This one I got most)

8)    Will you use it for catch up meetings? Why?

6 X No

-       I am used to What sup

-       I am not used to this app.I prefer Facebook

-       I don’t know if I would ever need to set an appointment of the sort

-       I don’t set my appointment through an app I call.

2 X Yes

-       It is in some way new.

-       I really liked the idea that you only click.

Receiver

1)    Did he/she try to type?

8X No

0X Yes

2)    Do you think that a distinguishable notification sound can help the user to understand the context before even he looks at his phone? Why?

-       I think that this is a great idea. It will let me know before I even see what is going on in my phone.

-       It will make the communication easier.

-       It will make me more aware of what is going on.

3)    Is the message from Jessica clear and easy to respond? Why?

All the respondents answered YES!

-       The massage is very clear. Straight to the point.

-       If I want to change the time what can I do?

-       It is pretty clear.

4)    Are you missing something in Jessica’s request (Design/Function wise)? What?

-       I don’t know, it seem fine to me.

-       The part with the selecting friends is not very clear.

-       When you pin a location have the opportunity to write as well.

-       Put title at every new action.

5)    Did you like the end message and is it clear that you have sent an answer?

All participants answered yes.

This idea is Convenient

Inconvenient   1          2          3          4          5          Convenient

User mainly answered 4.

This idea is Easy

                          Not at all     No       Bit      Yes    Very Much

Difficult           1          2          3          4          5          Easy

All the users except 1 stated 4 because the friends selecting needs to improve.

Pros about the prototype

Only click action

Simple response

Easy to understand the program

Clock is clever

Cons about the prototype

No swiping

Selecting friends needs to be fixed

Add type a location if possible

Show how the clock works

Conclusion

In my opinion the prototype testing went a bit more rushed than it had to be due to minor time intervals. The results that we have gathered will help us to refine our product and retest it with all the insights gathered from our previous test. We would need more time and a better preparation, so that the users can give us more accurate results. We would need to formulate a better test plan in order to leave enough time for us to record in detail our findings. The ideas we had appealed to the users and they found our concepts useful. In our next testing it is maybe wise to use the RITE method described in the book Universal Methods of Design. It will help us to adapt to the answers and refine the end product before it is built.