Interactive System Design - Case Study Example

Univerity Enhancing Usability and Accessibility Better System Designing 4/10 Better System Designing Table of Contents Introduction The basic intention of integrating usability and accessibility into interactive system’s user-centered design is to highlight a "method for the development of the different products (surroundings, instruments, processes and systems) which are better utilized by the people through the wide possible multiplicity of competence, working inside the broad feasible multiplicity of situations (conditions, atmosphere and state of affairs), which is commercially effective and functional" (uiAccess, 2010). This report presents a comprehensive analysis and elucidation of how design methods provide the capability to enhance the usability and accessibility of the implementation of an interactive system such as a home information centre. In this connection I will describe some of the major and effective techniques which are very essential for defining and presenting the main usability guiding principles for the design of an interactive system. 2- Interactive System Design While considering an interactive system such as the system of our home information centre for which we are going to design and enhance its usability and accessibility, we are required to pay more concentration on the users of systems. According to all our overall preceding studies and analysis, I have realized that one of the main factors that we should take into account while designing such system is the user. So in this regard, the analysis of user requirements, objectives, working areas, abilities/disabilities, etc. is quite necessary. After conducting this analysis, we need to design a system which can provide all of the mentioned features and facilities in the system. A lot of technical modernization greatly relies upon user interface design to support their technical complexity to a functional product. So it is estimated that only technology cannot do well from user approval as well as subsequent marketability perspective. The experience and reception of the user, or how well the user is able to make use of the finishing product, is quite essential to system acknowledgment. This definitely creates the need where system’s user interface design appears in the procedure of designing. As product engineers have to pay more heed on the usability and technology issues as in the same manner the specialists have to pay more concentration on the user interface. To achieve maximum competence as well as cost effectiveness, this working association should be persistent as of the start of a project till the end(usernomics, 2010). 3- Usability for improving Performance For an interactive system such as our information centre system of our home we need to improve the usability of the system. Why do we need usability? The answer to this question is that we need usability for the improvement of the user performance at the system. So in case of our system design we will use all the features of usability study to make certain that system is providing all the intended and major facilities and is efficiently accomplishing all the stated requirements for which we have developed the system. So when we talk about the system designing and system development we require a well managed approach to the design and development of the overall system. However, to get most favorable performance and user contentment we will definitely need the “usability testing”. This effective methodology of practical testing generally permits the new users to provide data for instance they need to provide answers of some questions, does the system work according the expectations and what has not achieved. Just after the resulting maintenance is completed, we can definitely say that we developed a product optimized for the users (Bevan et al., 2007; Dix et al., 1998). In scenario of implementation of usability related features at the system we need to make certain that undergoing system has a good quality user interface design. This is essential because a good system interface is definitely a major key to success for the acceptance or rejection of system in the market. So in this regard we need to make sure that we have well integrated all the key features and areas of the usability and efficient system interface methodologies such as simplicity of learning, simple to use, less awkward, effective, in time, efficient, etc(Dix et al., 1998). 4- Accessibility for making system workable For developing an interactive system such as home information centre we need to ensure the factors of accessibility. When we talk about the accessibilities then it means that we are requiring more performance and availability of system. Keeping in view the following consideration, we need to ascertain that our home based system is workable and well-designed for all the categories of users who want to use it for specific purpose. Here our main goal is to make it available all the time for all the users with various intentions, problems and requirements(Dix et al., 1998). Accessibility basically starts the procedure through which we are competent enough to employ the system that is more practicable for the people who are experiencing some kind of disabilities. This is also not limited to this extent; the accessibility is capable of providing such a system which is more functional, distinguishable, and perceivable as well as understandable for the people. It comprises the entire user’s related features, problems of main concern as sometimes we want to consider functional limitations, disabilities which can be linked to hearing, seeing, talking, corporal, intellectual or neurological(Benyon, 2010; Dix et al., 1998). 5- Accessibility for user satisfaction For our interactive system design we will make certain of all the major features related to accessibility because we need to confirm that new system should provide enhanced performance for all users at home. In this connection our main purpose of the implementation of the features related to accessibilities is to make sure that the system we are going to develop or design an effective system which is more purposeful and workable for the people with an extensive diversity of purposes and situations. Here situational boundaries also come into existence as of environments, circumstances plus conditions are capable of affecting anyone that is, people with no disabilities(Bevan et al., 2007; Dix et al., 1998). 6- Enhancing the usability as well as accessibility In case of enhancing the accessibility of home information centre we need to take into account both the areas of the usability and accessibility. Here in case of ensuring the accessibility we are dealing with more technical modules which are more associated toward the module related to the user interface. For assuring the accessibility of the system we also need to implement usability. The standard established by ISO 9241-11 for the effectual system design, describes that a usability factor needs to be considered as the level to which a design of a system is able to achieve specific objectives efficiency, accomplishment plus through contentment in a specific perspective of utilization(Newman et al., 1995 ; Dix et al., 1998) & (uiAccess, 2010). We need to follow following guidelines for enhancing the usability and accessibility of a system:(Bevan et al., 2007; Dix et al., 1998) Fulfilling effectively accessibility requirements Considering user distinctiveness Assessing user’s needs Incorporating environmental characteristics Analyzing some of the major circumstances of workflow comprising application of helpful technology Incorporating the usability testing More user oriented techniques and strategy Ensuring all requirements Embedding all possible design options 7-Conclusion In this report I have comprehensively presented an overview of how can we improve the system design and functionality by keeping in mind the factors of usability and accessibility. We can say that usability is a method which provides better means of designing a system that is functional, proficient, and satisfying. Where the factors of the accessibility are targeted to make sure that system that we have designed or developed is competent enough to satisfy more people and possesses enhanced performance, usefulness and efficiency. So by incorporating accessibility in our system we are expected to make the system workable and useable for more and more people. In this report I have outlined some of the main factors through which we can make a system more effective for home information center. 8- References Benyon, D., 2010. Designing Interactive Systems:A Comprehensive Guide to HCI and Interaction Design: Addison-Wesley. Bevan, N., Petrie, H. & Claridge, N., 2007. Improving Usability and Accessibility. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.nigelbevan.com/papers/Improving%20Usability%20and%20Accessibility.pdf" http://www.nigelbevan.com/papers/Improving%20Usability%20and%20Accessibility.pdf [Accessed 04 October 2010]. Dix, A., Finlay, J., Abowd, G. & Beale, R., 1998. Human-Computer Interaction. Hillsdale: Prentice Hall. Newman, W.M., Lamming, M.G. & Lamming, M., 1995. Interactive System Design : Addison-Wesley Longman Publishing Co., Inc. Boston, MA, USA. uiAccess, 2010. Accessibility in User-Centered Design. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.uiaccess.com/accessucd/background.html" http://www.uiaccess.com/accessucd/background.html [Accessed 02 October 2010]. usernomics, 2010. Internet Links for User Interface Design and Usability Testing. [Online] Available at: HYPERLINK "http://www.usernomics.com/user-interface-design.html" http://www.usernomics.com/user-interface-design.html [Accessed 03 October 2010]. Read More