Evaluations:

1. Determine the Research Objective:

a. Determine the issues user’s encounter when interacting with a camera interface

2. Describe the Presumptions

a. User’s are able to quickly and efficiently complete simple tasks when interacting with a Digital Camera.

3. Formulate Research Questions

a. What are the most important functions to have on Camera?

   i. Should all these functions have physical buttons on the product?

b. Does the skill level of the user play a major role in operating a Camera?

c. How does the usability and interface of a DSLR (or equivalent) camera compare to a smart phone camera? Which one is viewed as better?

d. How easily can both an advanced and novice user complete several tasks regarding the camera?

e. How does the design of the camera promote its main functions and features?

4. Design Research

1. Usability Dimension to be measure (efficiency, simplicity, etc.):
   1. Simplicity
   2. Feedback
   3. Learnability
   4. Familiarity
   5. Informativeness
   6. Efficiency & Effectiveness
2. Evaluation Method to be used ( think aloud, cognitive walk through, etc):
   1. Think Aloud Method
3. Data Collection Tools (survey, eye tracking, etc.):
   1. Observation & scribe
4. Describe Sample Group (age, marital status, etc.):
   1. Cassandra Rickard- College student, 21, works, enjoys going out with friends unfamiliar with DSLR cameras
   2. Alyssa Locke-College student, 22, works a lot, taken photography classes before and enjoys shooting people and landscapes, relatively familiar with DSLR cameras

Observation & Document Testing (Nikon D3400)

Task 1: Turn Camera On

Cassie: Initially looked at the Circle on top of Camera (7 seconds) and then realized the button was in front and successfully turn the camera on

1. Feedback & Learnability: Switch for “On & Off” makes a click sound when you switch it either way, indicating the camera is on. The camera screen also turns on automatically. There is also a little line that points to either On or Off indicating the state of the camera
2. Familiarity: We are used to having on/off, main home buttons near the screen or on top, not in front

Alyssa: New exactly where on/off button was, completed task with no problems

Task 2: Focus camera and take picture of a nearby object and then proceed to Delete the picture

1. Cassie: Took a minute to figure out how to set the camera to Auto (no specific settings), after about 20 seconds realized that “Auto” was on the little turning circle and label in green compared to everything else which was white. Was able to easy adjust the lense to fit the frame & object (candle). When trying to focus the camera, her view in the the lense did not focus itself so she could not tell if camera was focussed or not. However, it does make a little beep noise that indicates its focused (both a beep and seeing the camera focus would be nice). This noise indicated to her that she could take the picture, which did come out focused. When going to delete the picture, she initially pressed the “menu” button” and messed in that for about 35 seconds until realizing the playback of the pictures was not there and then saw the “play symbol” button above the “menu” button and pressed it. She then pressed the trash can button, found at the bottom right corner of the camera’s body. The screen asked “Delete?” and told her what button to press to delete or cancel (Error Prevention). Because it told her she was able to press the right button (trash again). In addition, thought that the camera was heavy to carry, especially for the quality of picture. Expressed that she could get just as good of a picture with her smartphone which she always had with her and was not nearly as heavy or bulky as the DSLR camera.
2. Alyssa: Was able to complete the task with no problem but did express that she wished she could see the camera focussing itself, appreciated how fast it could take pictures and was optimal for capturing things that involved speed (sports, animals, etc.)

Task 3: Take battery out of Camera

1. Cassie: Automatically went to the side of the camera that had a little sliding graphic/feeling, realized that it said “SIM” but opened it anyways, saw that that was where the sim card lived. Turned the camera upside down and took about 3 seconds to see where the battery was being encased. Had difficulty opening it initially then pressed upward on the little indented button, said that the graphic was not Effective. Pressed the bright orange tab with an arrow, which successfully lifted the battery out of the case.
2. Alyssa: First initial reaction was to turn over camera. Also struggled with lifting the lid to open the battery house. Pressed orange tab to lift battery out. Wondered how long battery lasted.

Analyze Results & Findings

1. Not simple design, which made for a not so simple perception. There were so many buttons and features both on the camera and on the menus/screens that it made the user question their initial reactions
2. Camera’s provided positive feedback to the users through sounds (beeps, clicks, etc.) but also by confirming actions and giving directions on what to press to receive a certain outcome
3. For someone who was less tech savvy, the learning curve was not that bad as the buttons and functions had universal graphics (familiarity) which helped indicate what the button did
4. In regards to informativeness, the more novice user had more numbers of trial and errors
5. Camera’s UX was fairly efficient and effective because not many steps/levels were required and if errors were made they were easily fixable
6. Error Prevention was a surprising feature that made a positive impact on both subjects

Recommend Solutions:

1. Allow easier access to battery
2. Make the on/off function more clear
3. Simplify digital interface as well as physical camera
4. Reduce the size of the dslr without compromising the quality of picture

Camera Used for Testing

 

Deconstructed Camera

 

Charts