Sunday, March 15, 2009

Planning Tools for Interaction

Flowcharts

A flow chart is a graphical way to layout steps, which help to complete a task or solve a problem. Flowcharts when designed effectively should be easy to understand and read. Flowcharts are a common tool used in the planning stages of interaction design, as they allow you to see what has to happen in order to reach the goal. A flowchart is made up of a series of relevant shapes and flow lines which guide you between each step. Below is an example of a flowchart describing how to make toast.

These are the steps involved in making toast.

1. Place toaster on a stable surface
2. Plug toaster in socket
3. Turn power switch on (is toaster on)
4. Open loaf bag of bread
5. Take out desired amount of toast bread ( generally 1 to 2 slices)
6. Pace slices of bread into toaster
7. Set toast settings to the desired level
8. Press down the lever to insert bread into toaster
9. Wait for toast to cook
10. Check darkness of toast (is it at desired shade)
11. Check toast is safe to touch
12. Place on plate and top with desired topping






Storyboards

Storyboards are yet another tool used in the planning stages of interaction design. They are a way to effectively display the visual events that are going to take place on screen. They generally contain indicators, like arrows and lines, which show what is going to happen or where something is going to move to. There is no set layout to a storyboard, it just needs to show the relevant information in a clear and easy to understand manner. Below are two slides from a storyboard describing how to make toast.







Moon Boards

Moon Boards are a visual way to represent information about a persona. They are made up of a variety of pictures that represent the persons, interests, lifestyle and other relevant information. Moon Boards allow for a quick reference and overview of the persona, without needing to read all the written text. Below is an example of a moon board, made for the following persona.

Johnny Smith

John is a 75-year-old retired carpenter who still enjoys hikes in national parks and ridding his Harley-Davidson. He looks forward to the local club raffle and a catch up with the boys on a Thursday evening. He also enjoys playing bingo, listening to local radio and watching old western movies with his wife Jill. As he gets older and has to visit the hospital more often, he prefers quick and efficient healthcare with simple, bold instructions and hospital signs. He aims to enjoy the rest of his life traveling a little and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.

Location: Hobart
Toaster Usage: Unfortunately Johnny has never used a fancy new electric toaster
Computer/Internet Usage: PC, Occasionally browses the Internet with the help of his grandchildren.
Computer Skill: Novice user. Finds things too complicated on the computer to use. Has an email but doesn’t know how to use it properly.


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