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2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

UI/UX

Game Development

Plan

My research plan involved the use of benchmarking, surveys, and usability tests to thoroughly assess existing products. Using a triangulation method, I aimed to minimise bias and ensure credibility in my findings. Benchmarking aimed to compare competitors to identify strengths and weaknesses. Surveys were also used to gather data on user preferences and behaviors, while usability tests directly engaged users to explore their experiences and needs. This approach ensured comprehensive insights from various angles, validating findings across different methodologies and involving users to accurately inform product improvements.

Competitive Benchmarking

To gain a comprehensive understanding of competitors in the industry, I conducted a thorough analysis of similar websites. Key areas of focus• How do they solve the problem?
• What do they do right?
• What do they do wrong?
• Have they established design conventions?I examined three sites—Aspire Van Hire, Enterprise, and Ace Car and Van Hire—providing diverse perspectives from both small and large companies for a comprehensive analysis.Findings
Enterprise effectively addressed users' car rental needs with a conventional step-by-step booking process. In contrast, Aspire Van Hire and Ace Car and Van Hire required additional contact to complete bookings, suggesting that online booking was not their primary focus. While all sites offered upfront pricing successfully, the smaller sites lacked comprehensive information on some vehicles, making it harder to trust their services. Information accessibility was particularly problematic on Aspire and Ace Car and Van Hire. From analysing these sites, I concluded that Enterprise's booking method best simplifies the user experience.

Project Requirements

Based on the findings of my research regarding the users, behaviours, and actions, I set out the fundamental objectives for my design.1. Intuitive navigation and clear booking path: Ensure users can navigate the booking process easily without clutter or ambiguity, guiding them seamlessly from start to finish.2. Transparency in pricing and information: Provide clear, detailed breakdowns of pricing and features to enhance user trust and understanding.3. Prioritise pricing display for easy comparison and booking: Make pricing information readily accessible and easy to compare, facilitating quick decision-making and action.

Sketches

To initiate the design phase, I began by sketching out initial ideas, drawing from the insights gathered in the previous phase. Once I felt confident in the direction of the design to address the identified problem and meet the project goals, I transitioned to creating comprehensive sketches of the website.These sketches included detailed layouts of the site's elements and functionality, establishing the groundwork for the initial prototype. This process ensured a solid foundation for further development and refinement.

Site sketches

Design Choices

Booking Path
My initial design was based on the established booking path outlined in the initial project requirements. I chose to incorporate a prominent timeline at the top of each page in order to guide users through their journey, ensuring clarity and enhancing trust in the process. By limiting the amount of links and buttons, I aimed to create a clear sense of direction for the user to follow. Linking back to the research findings, this was a pain point users had experienced on similar websites.Information Presentation
I focused on presenting all necessary details in a readable format, structured by importance in order to help guide users through the information available. Progressive disclosure techniques were also implemented to reduce cognitive overload for sections requiring user inputs.Priority on Pricing and Transparency
To fulfill the second project requirement identified during research, pricing is prominently displayed throughout the design. This strategic placement aims to convey transparency and establish the brand as trustworthy and upfront with users.Summary Page for Enhanced User Experience:
At the conclusion of the booking process, I included a summary page summarising the user’s selected package. This feature allows users to quickly review all relevant information, saving time navigating back through the process to find details.

Prototype

During the prototyping phase, I used Figma to create the prototype, marking my first extensive experience with the tool. Drawing from my prior experience with similar software, I quickly grasped the basics of Figma, enabling a smooth transition into exploring its advanced features such as components.I opted for a mid-fidelity prototype which allowed for richer insights compared to a low-fidelity version and also required fewer resources than a high-fidelity one.A mid-fidelity prototype would help to provide better insights into how well the design achieved its goals and solved the identified problem. Its level of detail allowed for a more realistic representation of the final product, enabling more accurate user testing and feedback. By simulating interactive elements and visual design aspects, the mid-fidelity prototype offers a closer approximation of the user experience, facilitating a more informed evaluation of the design's effectiveness.View prototype

Usability Testing

With a fully developed prototype in hand, the next step involved subjecting the design to real-world user testing. I selected a participant with a history of frequent usage on similar car-rental sites. Creating my own usability test script, I designed tasks that covered crucial areas throughout the site. This process not only deepened my understanding of conducting usability tests but also developed my ability to formulate precise tasks and questions tailored to the testing scenario.The usability test highlighted key areas for improvement. such as the inclusion of pickup location instructions, and confusion with the navigation between numbered circles and text labels. Recommendations included providing an option to explore package details, enlarging the clickable area for calendar days, and addressing oversized text causing dropdowns to extend off the page.Findings
The usability test confirmed that the design effectively met the project requirements established during the research phase. Users experienced significantly fewer issues with price transparency, navigation through the booking process, and locating and understanding the relevant information.Usability testing provided a lot of valuable insights and new areas for improvement in the design that could be carried over into the next design iteration. However, the educational context of this project limits the ability for a second iteration.

Conducting a usability test

Induction hob sketch

Problem

My IKEA induction hob presents a host of usability problems for users. The primary reason I selected this appliance for this project was that I had witnessed on many occasions firsthand how difficult it could be to use.The induction hob utilises touch buttons for user input, a method that works seamlessly until the cooking process starts. As liquid splatters from pots and condensation settles on surfaces, the touch input becomes temperamental, creating challenges in operating the hob and adding frustration to the cooking experience. This issue is particularly pronounced for individuals with dexterity issues who may encounter difficulty applying the necessary force for the buttons to register.The hob's markings are slightly faded and lack a distinct tactile difference from the rest of the surface. This presents additional challenges, especially for individuals with sight impairments.Another challenge arises during the preparation of complex meals, where users may need to repeatedly get up and down. This task is significantly more difficult for users with mobility issues. The necessity for frequent movements can be difficult for individuals with limited mobility, impacting their overall cooking experience.

Questions

1. How frequently do you use the hob and how long for? What sort of meals do you prepare?This question seeks to uncover the user's daily habits and activities related to their hob usage. By gaining insights into when and how often they use the hob in their day-to-day life, I aim to grasp the frequency and duration of its usage. This information is important in fully understanding the extent to which the hob is integrated into their routine.2. Do you tend to be standing up and active while the hob is in use, and what is the reason for this?This question delves into the user's behaviour during hob usage, aiming to unveil specific details about their physical movements. By exploring whether they typically stand or sit while using the hob and whether they tend to step away from it while it is in operation, I can gain valuable insights into the user's interaction patterns. I can then further understand the underlying reasons for such behaviour, discovering insights into the influence of physical challenges and personal habits related to hob usage.3. How does your sight impairment and dizziness impact your ability to use the hob?By asking the user directly about their challenges, they can directly address the difficulties they face and how it impacts their ability to use the hob comfortably and safely. Not only does this question reveal immediate hurdles for the user, but also establishes valuable links between their response and insights gathered from previous questions.4. Are there any particular parts of the hob that you find difficult to interact with?This question allows the user to pinpoint certain features or controls that they particularly struggle with, regarding interaction. By sharing these particular pain points, it provides me with targeted areas to concentrate on during the design phase. This user's insights, representative of others with similar struggles, serve as a crucial guide for refining and enhancing the design to better accommodate their specific needs and improve overall usability.5. Does the surrounding kitchen environment ever make it harder to interact with the hob?In this concluding question, users have the opportunity to reflect on their kitchen environment. It encourages them to delve into external factors influencing their experience, such as the presence of other individuals, lighting, temperature, ambient noise, and overall kitchen mess. These aspects play a significant role in shaping the usability and interaction dynamics with the hob, providing valuable insights into the broader context that influences their cooking experience.

Scenario

Resulting from the discussions in the interview, I've constructed an illustrative scenario that mirrors the daily experiences of the user. This exercise enables me to empathise with the user, gaining a profound understanding of the design problem from their unique perspective:The user opts for a lunch of soup and omelettes. Retrieving the pots from the cupboard, he encounters difficulty locating the hob's power button due to poor visibility. To address this, he turns on an additional light for better illumination. After a challenging effort, he successfully switches on the hob, signalled by an audible cue. Now faced with the task of placing the pots, he struggles to determine the optimal placement as one pot is slightly larger than the other. Unable to discern the size of each individual hob, he takes a guess.Feeling dizzy, the user quickly secures a seat and sets the hob to a low temperature for his soup. Anticipating the need to return shortly to activate the omelette hob, he chooses to rest in the living room.Despite still feeling dizzy, he eventually decides he should get up and navigate to the kitchen. Using extra lighting, he locates the correct button for the omelette hob to apply heat.As he finishes up with the hob, he faces some difficulty turning it off due to a splatter-covered power button, requiring a few attempts before his touch is recognised.

Conceptual Model

The Concept
A smart kitchen hob with pre-set timers. This allows users to schedule meal preparation and automate hob activation and deactivation at designated times.

The Environment
Used during meal preparation in potentially messy and cluttered surroundings. Commonly paired with other kitchen appliances, leading to increased levels of both noise and humidity.

Concept/objects
Likened to a cooking assistant who is readily available to take over the responsibility of activating and deactivating hobs at precisely timed intervals. Objects including timers, temperature settings, individual hobs, safety lock.

Actions
Turning on the hob, removing the child lock and setting individual hob temperatures. Setting up a hob schedule including setting the delay, the cooking time, and temperature for a hob.

User Experience
Understandable walkthrough for hob scheduling, clear indication of events (start and end), and smooth interactions. Little demand on users to tend to the hob repeatedly.

Storyboard

With my designs complete, I created a storyboard to illustrate the design concept before starting the interface designs.

Induction Hob Storyboard

Frame 1: Man sitting on a couch begins to feel hungry and craves a bowl of tomato soup and a fried egg for lunch.
Frame 2: Man gets up to walk through to the kitchen. He feels dizzy doing so.
Frame 3: He cracks an egg into a pan and pours a can of soup into the pot
Frame 4: He places the pot and pan onto the hob and switches it on.
Frame 5: He pre-sets each hob to cook so it finishes at the same time.
Frame 6: He goes to sit down and rest while the food is cooking. He is dizzy and blows a sigh of relief.
Frame 7: The hob sounds an alert to signal it has finished cooking. The man is excited for his food.
Frame 8: The man goes through to the kitchen and begins to plate up his cooked meal.

Interface Design

For my induction hob, I've opted for an interface with direct manipulation over symbolic manipulation. This simplifies all user interaction, offering a much clearer visual representation of data and objects within the product. Regarding the interface types, my design will make use of the appliance interface through the use of a graphical interface alongside an auditory interface.

The appliance interface also doubles as a tangible worktop. In addition to interacting with the controls, users also place cookware to initiate cooking and impact the hob digitally. I will also make use of a graphical interface within the appliance interface to represent information dynamically. Due to the planned implementation of the pre-setting functions, more elements will be needed to support this. Using a GUI will avoid a cluttered layout on the physical space on the hob. Finally, an auditory interface will use auditory indication for user alerts. These interface types combined create a multimodal experience.

This approach considers the user’s abilities by avoiding a touch interface for those with sight or hearing challenges. By opting for physically responsive buttons, this enables users not just to locate the button by touch but also to feel the sensation feedback when pressing the button. Moreover, to assist users with mobility challenges, integrating an auditory interface enables individuals who are not readily in close proximity to the hob to receive alerts when processes begin or conclude. The GUI interface not only conserves physical space on the hob but also enhances users' comprehension of the product. It achieves this by facilitating progressive disclosure, gradually revealing information to users and aiding in their understanding of the system's functionalities.

Figure 2-4: Screen Designs

Inputs/Outputs
In Figures 2-4, the input controls consist of left, right, up, down, and select buttons situated beneath the screen, as depicted in Figure 1. This screen displays all data and modifications, featuring a dynamic timeline that visually represents the pre-set cooking sequence. Additionally, the screen can signal the completion of cooking by emitting sounds to alert the user.

Interaction Processes
The up/down controls are utilised by the user to select a particular setting (highlighted in white), while the left/right buttons adjust the value associated with the selected setting. The start and pause functions are operated using the select button. During various stages of interaction, specific values are greyed out as needed.
The manual hob controls take priority over pre-settings, except when a cooking sequence is actively playing. Hob settings have the flexibility to be reset at any point, halting any ongoing sequence in progress. Individual hob settings cannot be adjusted during a sequence.

Method

Chosen Method
For my project, I used a digital screen prototyping method. A digital prototype allowed for a high level of visual refinement, creating a design resembling the professional style of the final product early in development.

Breadth of Functionality
My approach allows for a range of functionality, from simple screen transitions to complex calculations, facilitated by prototyping software tools. However, limitations arise when it comes to replicating the hob's physical functional attributes in a digital space.

Depth of Functionality
Digital prototyping offers vast capabilities for creating prototypes with deep functionality when considering the resources available. However, achieving functionality beyond surface interaction and display requires acquiring specific skills. For this project, creating an interface to store and display a cooking timeline might pose challenges.

Richness of Interactivity
A digital screen prototype allows users to smoothly transition between different screen states, closely replicating the final product experience. However, the digital prototype's environment may not match the actual usage environment, limiting interactivity richness and the user's true sense of product interaction in its intended form.

Richness of Data Model
Creating a realistic experience for users in a digital screen-based prototype by implementing real-life data is straightforward, such as heat control and time value ranges for the induction hob. However, the limitation lies in the inability to incorporate physical objects like pots and pans into the prototype.

Mitigation
Recognising the drawbacks in my selected method, I found a solution to address these issues. To build the prototype, I used Unity, primarily a game development tool. My existing skills with this tool mitigated the issues relating to creating deeper functionality.
Unity also offers the flexibility to deploy prototypes on mobile devices. By placing the mobile device on a hob to represent the screen in the design, it would more accurately simulate the usage environment during testing. Pairing the device with an existing hob allows me to test the hob’s functionality in conjunction with the prototype. Users could then use pots and pans while interacting with the prototype, creating a more realistic testing scenario.

Usability Testing

Research Goals
“Can users struggling with mobility challenges independently and comfortably use the induction hob to prepare a meal?”
Finding answers to this question would directly assesses whether users who previously couldn’t achieve the end-goal due to mobility issues, could prepare a meal with the new design.
“Do users demonstrate a clear understanding of how to use the advanced pre-setting functions, based on their responses and emotions while using the hob?”
This question evaluates users' comprehension of the product and its new design features. By assessing users' understanding, this question helps determine whether the user experience goal has been met and in what emotional state they finish using the hob.

Strategy
For my evaluation that delves into the previously mentioned design goals, I have decided on a user-centred approach, making use of direct user engagement for the evaluation, especially with individuals from the key target demographic. This approach allows for a thorough assessment of the product's performance, directly addressing the key questions and goals of the evaluation with direct user-based evidence. My chosen method involves conducting a usability test, conducted in the user's personal environment. This setup ensures that the user feels more at ease in their familiar space, increasing the likelihood of obtaining results that reflect real-world usage. Incorporating open-ended discussions throughout the usability tasks aims to gather additional insights into the user's experiences and any challenges faced, thereby contributing to addressing the key questions of the study.

Challenges
i. A potential challenge in sourcing a user who could effectively assess both evaluation goals is an issue that could need addressed. However, I have a family member who closely aligns with the intended user required for my design and is willing to participate in the usability test, therefore addressing this concern.

ii. In terms of functionality within my prototype, while the prototype itself is operational, it does not directly interact with the hob. To navigate this limitation, I plan to have the user set the desired hob settings, and I will manually adjust the hob to match those settings once the user is seated. This approach ensures that the user's experience closely mirrors the intended functionality outlined in the prototype.

iii. Ensuring that the test takes place in the user's personal environment, specifically the kitchen, requires access to the space. Given that the user is a member of my household, I am confident in my ability to set up the test in my home without being constrained by time, space, or access limitations.

Findings

Usability Goal Assessment
In terms of improving the user ability and independence in meal preparation, one notable insight emerged from the user's feedback following the task. They appreciated the reduction in hassle as they didn't have to repeatedly get up and return to their seat. The user stated that getting up, only to turn on another hob is “a lot of effort”. Meanwhile, during the hob setup, it was evident that the user was growing fatigued and found some relief in having a more extended, uninterrupted break while seated.
A minor issue surfaced when the user's time estimates for cooking eggs proved slightly inaccurate, necessitating adjustments to prolong the cooking process. Rather than returning to their seat, the user opted to wait a few extra moments. Over time, users may refine their time estimations through repeated use of the product for familiar meals, potentially minimising unnecessary movement. However, facilitating the extension of cooking sessions without restarting the entire process could further alleviate the need for users to tend to the hob repeatedly and spend prolonged periods standing in cases like this.

User Experience Goal Assessment
In alignment with the user experience objective previously outlined, which aimed to ensure users comprehend the processes involved that consequently affects their emotional state during usage, one primary observation from the assessment was that the user grasped the process of setting up the hob. They remarked that setting the values was simply “the same thing over and over”. However, initially, the process was not as intuitive for the user. Upon encountering the prototype, the user attempted to initiate the setup by interacting with it as though it were a touch screen, overlooking the control buttons representation beneath the digital display. This initial confusion might be attributed to the prototype's form, where the presence of physical buttons below the screen could have provided clearer visual affordances, providing a distinction between the screen and the buttons.
Furthermore, the user highlighted an area for enhancement concerning the lack of feedback when interacting with the buttons, which posed a challenge, particularly for their limited eyesight. Perhaps incorporating some form of audible feedback would significantly enhance their ability to discern when a button has been pressed, thereby reducing repeated frustration for the user.

Reflection
During the evaluation of the induction hob, I found the structure of my usability test to be effective. Providing the user with an overview of the test helped them feel more at ease about what was expected and their role in the process. Starting with questions to understand the user followed by observing their task execution without my input proved to create valuable insights into their intentions and usage patterns, while also highlighting potential areas for improvement based on their feedback afterwards.
However, I recognised some limitations in the prototype's form, particularly in terms of physical interactions and visual cues for the user. For instance, the attempt to represent physical controls on a digital screen, as mentioned previously, posed challenging. Despite receiving valuable feedback from this prototype, I acknowledge that it may have been beneficial to opt for a prototype that incorporated more elements of my design. This would have allowed for a more comprehensive assessment, including aspects beyond the screen and control display, which were essential components of my initial design that remained untested.

Target Audience
The game, designed for young students aged 11-16, aimed to engage both genders with the theme of 'curiosity.'Design aspects, like difficulty, required additional attention for the target audience, considering the wide variation in skill levels within a younger age group. It is crucial to take this variability into account when designing controls. The game also deliberately excludes inappropriate language, abusive content, or sexual references, aligning with the 11-year minimum age requirement.Methodology
I used a waterfall methodology for the project, tackling one stage at a time—starting with planning, moving on to design, implementation, and ending with evaluation. This method was simple to understand and maintained a well-structured project. It proved particularly suitable for a small-scale, solo project, ensuring control at each stage.While Agile was another option, its adaptability might lead to deviations from set deadlines, which were non-negotiable for this project. Despite its strengths in handling changes, the inflexible timeframes and requirements made the waterfall methodology the preferred choice.

Project Proposal

After thoughtful planning, I created my project proposal, awaiting evaluation to see if it met the requirements for moving into the full design stage.Explore the chambers to uncover lost artifacts, bringing them back one at a time to load into the truck. Navigate cautiously to avoid getting lost, as you only have a 4-minute window before the entrance is sealed. Plan your escape thoughtfully, and brace yourself for unexpected surprises along the way...The complete project proposal delves deeper into the gameplay, narrative, and the project's viability within the specified scope. It also considers constraints and potential risks.

Development Log

Throughout the game development, I maintained a video development log showcasing the entire process using the Unity game engine.

Testing Results

Technical Testing
The game successfully passed the majority of functional test cases, although one or two issues surfaced. These were promptly addressed and corrected. This testing proved invaluable in identifying and resolving potential concerns, contributing to the overall refinement of the game for its successful completion.Performance Testing
The game excelled in performance testing, demonstrating smooth operation even on a device with 4GB of RAM, in accordance with the specified requirements.User Testing
Overall, the game received positive feedback, with high scores for clarity, navigation, art style, and game balance. Participants appreciated the game's length and overall fun factor. However, areas for improvement include controls, weapon balance, and addressing perceived limitations that led to some frustration. These insights provide a valuable direction for refining gameplay mechanics and enhancing the overall user experience.

Project Proposal

After much experimenting and planning, I created my project proposal, awaiting evaluation to see if it met the requirements for moving into the full design stage.Aliens have invaded the outer planets of our solar system! You have been summoned into space to fend off the relentless waves of enemies and save our planet! Unlike the aliens, we have a third dimension to work with...The complete project proposal delves deeper into the gameplay, narrative, and the project's viability within the specified scope. It also considers constraints and potential risks.

Development Log

I maintained a development log throughout the game's creation. You can view each blog post below.

Check out the MULTI-SPACE trailer provided below to get a visual preview of the game