Choose one of the two term project options. You are encouraged to work in teams of 2-4 individuals. Individual projects must be justified to the instructor. For both options, a final, written report that documents the study or the design is required.
Option 1. Design and conduct a usability study for an existing system
1. Select a system and write a description that includes system goals,
user population, features, and a context for the system (e.g., competing
systems, any previous studies, major revisions).
2. Conduct an expert critique and make redesign recommendations, including
sketches or prototypes for new interface features. This critique
should be submitted well before midsemester.
3. Either conduct a comparative analysis with another existing interface
OR conduct a usability study with appropriate subjects. You may wish
to use the IDL but be sure to schedule in advance. In all cases,
appropriate Institutional Review Board procedures must be followed.
See http://research.unc.edu/ors/aairb.html
for instructions and forms.
Option 2. Design and prototype an interface for a system of your
choice.
1. Define a specific application. The interface should be guided
by a well-defined task set and a clearly specified user population.
2. Produce a set of design specifications (the different versions
of the design specifications will be turned in as part of the design) and
use them to mock up the prototype using paper screen displays or electronic
prototyping tools.
3. Based on feedback from peers and potential users (discount
usability), revise the design specifications and create a functional prototype
of the interface with a tool such as Visual Basic, Java/JavaScript/HTML,
Tkl/Tk, etc.
Timeline for Project
1. A statement of project/topic and team composition is due September
5 (third week) (verbal and written outline)
2. A design outline/plan of operation/extended outline is due October
10 (eighth week) verbal
3. Intermediate products should be turned in on arrangement with instructor.
Expert critique (Option 1) and design specifications (Option 2) before
midsemester.
3. Final product/paper is due December 5.