SYED SHAHARYAR RIZVI

ERP-ID: 23243

Part A

Answer 1

Part a.
Usability Evaluation: Usability evaluation is nothing but a criterion that how user can learn
and achieve their desired goals. Evaluation of the mentioned fitness app can be evaluated
using following methods,
 Heuristic evaluation
 Cognitive evaluation

Heuristic Evaluation: A set of rules designed/aimed specifically to design good user

interfaces. Heuristics are applied iteratively and requires several persons for the evaluation
of the product.

Cognitive Walkthrough Evaluation: Mainly focused over system’s interface and user’s task.
Usually, it is performed before the implementation of the system.

Part b.
Perceived ease of use is nothing but considering how easy it is to use something. With
respect to the fitness app, after initial usage, user will get a flavor of how to use it, which
simply relies to the Learnability factor. Considering other factors, Efficiency; how efficiently
the results are measured and to what extent they are measured. Usability on the other
hand, how handy or how easy this app is.
Perceived usefulness is nothing but the value, what value will it provide to the user. In case
of fitness app, the user shall be able to track all the fitness related activities i.e., steps, heart
rate, cardio activity, etc.

Part c.
Fitt’s Law: When designing the application for elderly people we need to keep certain
aspects in mind so as to produce ease to them. For aged people, Fitt’s law principles are
essential and can’t be neglected.
 Elderly people have degraded vision which may lead the design of the application to
be enlarged enough so that they could get ease out of it.
 Collaboration with the screen.
 Pointer might be assessed, resulting the icons/interactive buttons large.
All these aspects can be fulfilled with the implementation of Fitt’s Law which in this case is
highly important.

Part d.
Starting with figQ1.1, the interface is a bad design itself. Aesthetics issues in terms of
Usability, having too much on the screen, the user will himself be in a though of how to use
and where to look at. Assuming if this app is to be used by elderly people or physically
challenged people it will have severe accessibility issues.
FigQ1.2 on the other hand the design to me is far better than that of figQ1.1 because the
designed is highly interactive based on Visibility, Accessibility, reachability, and visually
attractive too. As far as efficiency is concerned, Fitbit is now advised by the board of health
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ERP-ID: 23243
in USA that every individual shall wear a Fitbit because according to their research it helps
making an individual’s life healthy and fit both physically and mentally.

Answer 2

Visual Communication is nothing but the way which commute what actually a thing or a
product offers when you actually see it. In context to a smart watch, how does the watch
commute when you visually see it. Like it’s a watch, you can hope all the basic
functionalities to be present in it. You also may get an idea about the new functionalities in
it by just looking at their icon. The icon therefore itself commute the message or its basic
function to the user.
Some issues that might be faced upon using the watch,
 Display: hard at times to look upon the information where the content is large.
 Learnability: the interface might be difficult for a first-time user.
 Sync issues may happen when the phone isn’t near its reach.
 Loss of connection
 Functionalities such as messaging, receiving calls may work for emergencies, but
surely can’t be practiced in daily norm.
 Recovery modes: Watch must be synchronized with the compatible device to
function correctly that can be counted in as Maintainability factor.

Empirical Method: By observing the user’s reaction over what they find interesting, what is
feasible to them, what certain factors are bothering them in terms of usability, learnability.
All these aspects are to be collected in the form of data which will them be optimized for a
better outcome. Because the reason why empirical method is because the results primarily
depend on the results collected, the evidence and not just the theory.

Answer 3

The comparison between the keyboard layouts of both the osx and windows is quite
interesting. Each keyboard has its own pros. Being universally recognized; windows
keyboard is comparatively more efficient as compared to that of osx keyboard. Though the
user behavior is almost the same in both cases but at certain level the shortcuts vary. Most
of the shortcuts are same behavior vise but the combination of the keys differs in either
case. As in mac command key is pressed along with the combination letter to apply the
shortcut whereas ctrl and the combo of a letter is used in windows. Shortcuts in MAC are
limited to a certain level therefore leaving a cognitive load over a new user as the user may
take time to memorize or maybe the user is familiar with the windows keyboard.
User-Behavior of the keyboards can be determined by performing a task where the user
may be asked to input using the windows and osx keyboards.
Efficiency can be determined by,
MAC osx: memorize the modifier keys that are to be used along with the combination of
letters to perform a specific task or action hence making the work efficient and faster.
Windows: comparatively used generally over the world, hence making it easier to a win-win
situation. Similar combinations to shortcuts that makes it efficient as well.
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ERP-ID: 23243

Answer 4

Part a.
I, being an HCI expert will conduct the following experiments over the segmented group of
people,
Teenagers: In the world of tech, teenagers nowadays are fully equipped with tech apps such
as maps, navigators etc. for this segment we can conduct Cognitive walkthroughs as a part
of our experimental evaluation so that we can optimize the results in terms of feedback,
usability, visibility, reachability.
Adults: Being specific to a certain group of adults, they may get evaluated over the similar
experiments as of that of Teenagers. Also, adults may be asked to get involved in testing
activities so as to identify what factors might require a change or amendment.
Disabled and Older Adults: As older adults we can assume that they belong to a specific age
group categorized as elderly people. They may be evaluated by using field study technique
where the user will be allowed to use the application on site and locate their desired
locations. What issues will be faced, will be addressed on the spot so as to overcome the
situation and needs. Also, there’s a lack of learnability factor resulting the user to adapt
things that might take extra time and hassle.
Talking about Disabled people we can conduct similar experiments as that of other adults
where user needs are identified, a set of requirements are gathered and hence adapted to
overcome the need of the following segment.

Part b.
We can use Nielsen’s ten rules of heuristics to evaluate the user groups mentioned. A few of
them are defined to get an idea of how the evaluation can be done,
 Consistent in nature: Should be consistent in terms of its interface. Should have
similar displays and aesthetics in terms of design.
 Error prevention: A proper error message shall be displayed where a user
unintentionally gives a wrong input. The application may suggest results based on
similarities.
 Visibility: The system must inform the user during journey about what’s going on,
etc.
 Match between system and real world: Metaphorically representations of places can
be done using their meaningful icons hence making the user hassle free.
 User control and Freedom: the user shall be able to back-off a certain operation if it
takes more time than usual.
 Recognition rather than Recall: minimize the user memory load by adding features
that provide similar results based on the previous search. Also, instructions or user
manuals should be available whenever required.
 Flexibility and efficiency of use: The application should cater both, experienced and
inexperienced user.
 Aesthetic and Minimalist Design: The application should be aesthetically pleasing.
Should not contain unnecessary information. The newer versions may include
features according to the niche requirements.
Part c.
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ERP-ID: 23243
Result optimization: The users are segmented/ categorized as Teenagers, Adults, Other
Adults, and Disabled people. How about if we can segment the experiment results based on
the user segments? We can then collectively have results like what’s the similarity, what
problems are faced and why, if a voice asst. is required for disabled people is it necessary for
the other segments too. Based on the experiments done using Nielsen’s heuristics we can
categorize the results according to the user segment.

Answer 5

Learnability: Zoom definitely has a win-win situation in terms of UI/UX. Simple in nature,
ability to use without any kind of training whereas MS allows the user for a certification
specific to MS Teams.

Affordance: when talking about affordance, zoom provides a better user experience and
handy to use. Like user get what icon does what.

Visibility: Both zoom, and MS Team has a prominent visibility factor and that depends totally
over the user perspective. Design is similar. Zoom offers multi display ranges as compared to
that of MS Teams.

Feedback: when concern with the responsiveness of the system Zoom clearly provides
better feedback, as who’s speaking, who’s on mute, etc.

Recognition vs. Recall: here, MS Teams leads the battle as it produces less cognitive load.
Once MS Teams gets your credentials you won’t be asked for it whereas in zoom every time
you need to login to start a conference.

Consistency: MS Team is undoubtedly more consistent when we talk about user experience.
It has same layout, themes at every possible output.

Efficiency: MS Teams, having a benefit of being the MS Products, therefore it can integrate
all the office 365 products with it whereas zoom only provides functionalities limited to
video calling.

If we consider all the pros of both the application and hence built a new app containing the
niche functionalities, it would be a win-win situation because the need of these application
is now rising due to the global pandemic and hence be beneficial for the audience. Yes, it
would be effective.
 SYED SHAHARYAR RIZVI
ERP-ID: 23243

Answer 6

Part a.
1. A call button for elderly users making them hassle free to book a ride over a call. The
app must cater the needs resulting in a proper operator who can book the ride based
on the user input in the form of pick up and drop off point.
2. When targeting specifically elder people, the app should be designed according to
their needs in term of visibility, usability, and reachability. The app should contain
icon that are easily visible to the user keeping in mind that they might have visionary
issues.
3. Use of speaking assistant i.e., google asst or Siri to cater what is required to the user.
The user simply clicks the mic denoting the functionality to speak, hence resulting
the application to process and give possible outcomes.

Part b.
From the above-mentioned changes, I prefer the call feature more because it would ease
the user to perform the task just by calling the operator and booking the ride. Not just the
elderly group, but the person who is running out of time can simply call the operator and
multitask things according to him. We can further integrate the speaking asst to it which will
benefit the disabled or physically challenged people to cater their needs for booking the
ride.

Part c.
Field study method is preferably suitable to evaluate empirically for the newly presented
feature, i.e., Call option.

Part d.
Hypothesis: a group of elderly users will be required to perform the hypothesis test. The
user will be evaluated on the basis of how he calls the operator using the app. Once the user
call, a set of questions is to be designed beforehand which is to be asked by the operator
resulting in booking the ride. Expected amount, their arrival time and other basics will also
be conveyed to them over call.

Part e.
The call feature will add another star to the app as the targeted user will be efficient enough
to use the application and book a ride just by making a call to the operator which will be just
a click away. There would be least or almost no interaction with the keys which in case of
elderly people is the most difficult part. Likely, looking at all the requirements stated the
user will definitely accept the feature as it will ease the use of app catering the need of
usability and reachability. Considering the TAM, call factor will lead the user to adapt the
following change as it is easy to use and the perception that technology is presenting
something useful catering the factor of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use.
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ERP-ID: 23243

Part B: Subjective Questions

Answer 1

Affordance is nothing but when you see something, the design you figure out how to use it,
about what the function of the particular thing is without looking up at some label or sign
associated to it. Or in other terms we can say the aesthetics of an object that describes how
it can be used is affordance. As an example, we can highlight a door handle; the knob needs
to be rotate rather than pulling it because this affordance is pretty much obvious. Similarly,
a door either needs to be push or pull.
Mental Model is nothing but a representation of how something works. They play a vital
role in Human Computer Interaction. It helps the user to plan and predict the future plans
for something using their mental models. As an example, a web browser; we know that the
space left is to be used to redirect to a specific link or to search for something. At times, it’s
not an easy thing to meet the model therefore necessary steps are required to aid the user’s
mental model. In other words, some sort of manuals, some labelling might work to aid the
user’s mental model.

Answer 2

It is true that human mind can remember Chunks of information because whenever we see
something that must be pleasing to our eyes and well descriptive as well. The process of
chunking helps parting an enlarged paragraph or a set of words into bits and pieces termed
as chunks. Furthermore, examples have been added as,

Here, chunking is done but seems to be extra like a person would search for a property to
buy and sell or may be for rental purposes. Here, wanted and projects seems to be extra in
terms of search functionality.
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Looking at this seems quite pleasing, but do it satisfy the principle of chunking? Assuming
that clothing section should contain information below its reach and not distributing the
text into furthermore columns.

Answer 3

Apple products now resembles with the interface as that of iPhone and iPad. You get to see
same interface in either of the product in terms of functionality and uniformity. Even now, if
the phone associated to similar iCloud accounts may be accessible if it’s in reach. Even mac
now offers a function where you can receive call over mac that has been received on your
cellphone specific to apple.
Talking some distinguish features about that of mac and windows, let’s take an example of,

In MacOS you find the three buttons onto the left side whereas in windows, you will find it
towards right side as,

Gestures also varies in windows and macOS. If we talk about integration with other devices
such as LED’s or other infotainment system, there must exist an apple tv to enable the
functionality of airplay whereas in windows it’s just you need to build a valid Bluetooth
connection and you’re good to go with it.
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Talking about security, the research says that apple’s security is unbeatable whereas
windows security, it can be compromised. Voice assistant varies in either case, windows use
assistant namely Cortana whereas MacOS uses assistant namely Siri.
Concluding it, we can say both the systems have their own perspective, ease of use, and
functionalities.