Dasha_testing

= KBD Project Brief = 3005 DESIGN & SYSTEMS KBD

= =  We are third-year Graphic Design students at York University currently developing a website prototype for the York visual arts department. The purpose of our research is to develop a better understanding of the user experience for this site. To gain this information we will be asking you to navigate through our website prototype and complete specific tasks to help us identify any potential issues. We are testing our prototype to determine whether the content and navigation are user-friendly and easily accessible. We will also be asking you a series of questions related to your experience both contextually and visually. In no way are we testing your abilities but rather testing our website and looking for ways to improve its capabilities.

=** Dasha's DECIDE framework for user testing **= 3005 DESIGN & SYSTEMS KBD

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 * [ DECIDE Framework ]

Determine overall goals of the evaluation.
This evaluation is set to determine and highlight the problem areas of our prototype in terms of usability, information architecture, technical structure, and visual quality, as well as to provide a better understanding of the user experience. Our primary goal is to determine how intuitive the information architecture is to the user when searching for key information within the programs handbook. Secondly, we will also be evaluating how users, particularly current visual arts students, might identify and perceive the visual quality of the website and their opinions on how well this website portrays their program, addresses their user needs, and gives their community an identity. Generally, the testing will examine certain previously suspected problems, but also allow for new issues to surface, all in order to correctly address any such problems to improve the design of the final solution with the users needs and experiences in mind, the users acceptance of the visual identity and ability to intuitively find information of highest importance.

(the "big" questions providing actionable insights)

 * Do users understand the hierarchy of the content and information structure to navigate through the website when searching for specific information?
 * Is the information presented in an inviting manner for general browsing?
 * On the technical side, is the thin dropdown the best solution for quick navigation?
 * How do visual art students perceive the website, the presented identity and representation of them as a community?

( selection of methods )
For the purposes of our evaluations a structured approach is highly appropriate, although using the ‘general exploration method’ will further aide in answering our questions regarding the sites visual appearance. Giving a predetermined task will allow us to accurately test the several paths that different users may intuitively take to their final destination, as well as evaluate the placement of that content itself.

Watching and possibly recording the curser movement during the evaluation of the specific tasks allows us to test the dropdown menu’s usability, as well as notice any additional browsing or confusion. A verbal interview will also be conducted on the users opinions, thought process and perspectives on the prototype, the visuals, and on their user experience.

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The testing takes place within the intimate virtual environment between the user and the computer. Ideally tests should be conducted both in busy crowded campus environments as well as quiet personal spaces of the users, locations where the website would most typically be accessed. Different screen sizes will also need to be tested on for the widest extent of data on the sites functionality when using different equipment.======

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Test subjects will be selected based on our initial scope and target market, ideally current students in the visual arts program at York University. For additional information on other user perspectives, other age groups and student types will be examined.======

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The data will be evaluated based on the observed intuitive patterns, opinions verbally expressed by the user and the visual usability outcomes that will result from the user testing. Interpretation of the data will take into account the physical circumstances under which the user testing took place. Themes and patterns of problem areas will be discussed and the implementation of specific changes to the prototype to address these findings will be considered. A final report of the groups tests and findings will be presented.======

=** Test Script **= 3005 DESIGN & SYSTEMS KBD

a) degree requirements
You are an upper year student completing your Fine Arts Honours Degree. You currently have 18 major credits at the 3000 and 4000 level and are looking to graduate as soon as possible. You know there is a minimum number of credits that you must attain in these levels to graduate but are not exactly sure as to how many. Find the information required. [ what is the minimum of major credits at the 3000 or 4000 level required to graduate? ]

b) Find a course Knowing how many credits you have left, you want to complete these requirements by taking only one more course. Interested in drawing and enjoying your previous drawing course, FA/VISA 3080, you want to find out if there is anything available in drawing at the 4000 level, also taking note of who teaches it. [ Find a 4000 level drawing course to fit your credit requirements and who teaches it ]

GENERAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
 * What is the identity/mood of the site?
 * How is the quality of our images?
 * How would you rate our site in terms of being visually appealing out of 5?
 * Is background working for the overall look?
 * What would you like to see more of / less of?
 * Did you find the information easy to read?