user_test_tra_amy_analysis


 * Amy: Individual Analysis of Test Results**


 * TESTING PROCEDURE**
 * // • H // ** //ow things went; what actually occurred during the testing? expectations met? any challenges or surprises//

The testing procedure was held in the painting studios at Joan & Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts in the Visual Arts department. We set up a Macbook Pro with our website loaded and a mouse on a table, a comfortable stool, and another laptop to record our findings in the user-interaction. Each of our group members asked the user to perform the same task in the same environment so that they were given the consistent and identical procedures to follow. While users were clicking through the pages, we asked our questions to sum up our task. Users were very helpful in the way they gave us critiques. We met our expectations as we were able to find our test subjects around the building. We asked three different subjects to come in to our set up environment to perform the required tasks. One of our challenges in the beginning was to load everything up before the interview because the wireless was a little slow.

//• W// //hat did you discover about your designs? what are the answers to your "big" questions?// **
 * FINDINGS TASK ONE

User Subject One The user was able to navigate easily without any problems around the Gallery Index to find the course //Introductory Photography: Colour//. The user feels engaged to click further in to each of the courses, and that the information hierarchy was easily identifiable.

User Subject Two The user was able to navigate easily without any problems around the Gallery Index to find the course //Introductory Photography: Colour//. The user feels engaged to click further in to each of the courses, and that the information hierarchy was easily identifiable because it helps her look at what each medium has to offer specifically in courses.

User Subject Three The user was able to navigate easily without any problems around the Gallery Index to find the course //Introductory Photography: Colour//. The user feels engaged to click further in to each of the courses, and that the information hierarchy was easily identifiable.

Summary The Gallery Index serves its purpose of navigating through to the streams and its Course Galleries in an engaging way for all.

//• W// //hat did you discover about your designs? what are the answers to your "big" questions?// **
 * FINDINGS TASK TWO

User Subject One The user found difficulty in going back from the Course Gallery into the Gallery Index, so the user had to click on the 'back' button on the web browser instead. The user was able to understand that this would be the Course Gallery that showcases the works produced out of the class. It shows its purpose. As for the course descriptions, the user suggests that If others want to find out more - go to prospective students because the gallery is only about the work itself. She enjoyed the overall experience because it went pretty fast. It doesn't take half an hour to go through each of the student's work.

User Subject Two The test subject took a little time to find the Course specific to the task, and we had to remind her what course she was to click on. She enjoyed the overall experience of clicking through each student's work because you get an idea of what the projects are offered upon taking the course. She comments that it's more than just the work that the course produces, but would also like to see more course description such as who will be the teaching faculty. Often times, the faculty will decide on the projects, so it is also to be taken in to consideration when wanting to enroll in the course.

User Subject Three The User would like to know under the course descriptions the specific projects offered in the course and the director. It is also a good idea to know what projects will be offered, not just the skills developed in the course description. She enjoyed the overall experience of clicking through each works because of the small thumbnails that preview the artwork.

Summary Difficulty in going back to the Gallery Index from the Course Gallery will be fixed by putting a 'back' button in the page. It would also be great to see who will be teaching the course in the course descriptions of the Course Gallery.

//• How did you find this process, what you have learned? would you change anything next time?// **
 * REFLECTION

The process of user testing is a very valuable time because at the end of the day, the users of the website will be the ones navigating through our interface. It is better to catch on earlier stumbling blocks than later, and this way we are able to have a glimpse of what is necessary for Visual Arts students or other users in general in what they think of the website. As designers who have been developing the interface, we may not be able to catch and see the things that function well to us, but does not perform well for others. It is great to have insight on others opinions not related to our experience. What I would change the next time when I go through a user test is to first let the user test subjects know the limitations of the website before clicking as it is a prototype. Some pages were not coded as intended to be. I learnt that user-centered design is to provide the needs, wants, and limitations from individuals looking for the information they want. By doing these user tests, we are able to see and also mend our final solution.