Contextual testing of interactive prototypes at the early stages of the design process

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Author
Woolley, Alex
Date
2008Type
Thesis
Publisher
University of Wales
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Information appliances combine bespoke hardware with custom interfaces. This
presents a challenge when prototyping early in the design process, as it can be
difficult to combine both the digital and physical elements of the product to create
a viable prototype for user testing. Although a number of prototyping kits have
been developed that attempt to address this issue, these have previously only be
trialled using "laboratory" based approaches. This thesis demonstrates that
although laboratory testing can be beneficial, the use of a contextual testing
approach provides better information for the early stages of design.
The research comprises an extensive user study comparing data gathered using
laboratory and in-context testing approaches, supported by a case study of a
usability team working within a multinational mobile phone manufacturer. The case
study provides grounding for the research, and was used both to set the user study
findings in-context and also to inform the user study method design. The thesis
concludes by proposing a workflow for contextual testing in the design process, and
identifies areas of future development for prototyping toolkits to better support
contextual testing.
The contribution of this work to knowledge is a clear demonstration that contextual
testing can be conducted early in the information appliance design process; and
that this approach delivers better design information, particularly in regard to the
physical elements of the design.
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