ISM 210 Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction HW1: Design Critique I!

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Overview For this assignment, you will be choosing and describing two products that require human interaction. The goal is to practice describing, analyzing, and critiquing a product's interface as well as develop an awareness of di!erent kinds of users and to what constitutes good or poor design. " Related Learning Objectives Learning Objective 1: Students will be able to critique a software application or device using interaction principles of interaction design." Choosing your products To complete this assignment, you will need to choose two products from your daily life: one that you nd particularly easy to use and one you nd di#cult to use. Simple software applications (e.g. calculators, image viewers, text editors) or web sites are examples of possible choices. Tangible products such as ATM machines or CTA ticket dispensers are acceptable too. On the other hand, complicated o#ce and business software such as word processors, database systems, or spreadsheets are too complicated given the time and e!ort expected of this assignment. "

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Document your selected products with screenshots, photographs, and/or drawings that helps to communicate your critique. Optionally, you can include a video, if it will help describe you chosen products. You must actually encounter this product in your personal life, and you must provide an original photograph or scanned original drawing when documenting it. You may not use a photo found on the web of the same object, even if it exists you must take your own photographs/screenshots. " Describing your products For the product you nd easy to use, describe or answer the following (each in a few sentences):" $ What is the product? " $ What task(s) does the product perform? " $ Present one way in which this product is easy for you to use " $ How would someone else nd this product di#cult to use? " $ How could this di#culty be resolved? "

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For the product you nd di#cult to use, describe or answer the following (each in a few sentences): " $ What is the product? " $ What task(s) does the product perform? " $ Present one way in which this product is di#cult for you to use " $ How could this di#culty be resolved? " $ How would someone else nd this product easy to use? " In a paragraph or so, summarize an important di!erence between the two products that a!ected your answers. You are not expected to draw from readings for this assignment. This assignment should be written as a narrative, with paragraphs and headings. " Grading This assignment is worth 100 points. A critique that reasonably responds to all of the instructions will generally receive 83 to 89 points. A critique that consists of thoughtful and well-edited answers will merit 90-93 points, and, for some outstanding critique, 95-100 points. " See reverse page for grading criteria.

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12/17/2013

An outstanding critique will:"

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$ Follow the assignment directions correctly and completely" $ Provide a a clear and detailed description of the products and the tasks." $ Use formatting and illustrations to present ideas clearly." $ Avoid fuzzy words like intuitive and user-friendly. Find concrete reasons for your judgment." $ Consider less obvious cases for describing potential user problems. (Obvious answers such as "A hearingimpaired user would have di#culty with the telephone menu system" may technically be correct, but try think of other potential issues)." $ Consider a user's experience and knowledge when answering the questions. Be precise when describing these characteristics." $ Be well organized and edited." $ Reect an appropriate and professional tone. (Dont use language that is too casual.)" $ Have a professional, neat presentation." $ Attend to visual appeal and organization. (For example, use fonts and spacing consistently, use headings to organize the text)" $ Be submitted on time."

Grading Scale
A% A-% B+% B% B-% C+% C% C-% D+% D% F% 93.00%% Excellent/Outstanding e!ort" 90.00% Very Good" 88.00%% " 83.00%% Good" 80.00%% " 78.00%% " 73.00%% Satisfactory" 70.00%" 68.00%" 60.00%" 0.00%

12/17/2013