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Usability and Evaluative Methods

Assignment: Indiana Historical Society Website - Revise Information Architecture (primary)

- Update Web Design (secondary)

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Problem Space

www.indianahistory.org

Indiana Historical Society Website

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Information Architecture: Problems

• Too “flat”In an effort to reduce navigation for the user and simplify the search for a specific section, the information is arranged such that there is a lot of breadth and no depth. A plethora of links is provided at the surface level. This actually backfires by causing an information overload for the user.e.g. the main navigation menu has 17 items and the “Quick Links” menu has 24

Navigation Menu “Quick Links” Menu

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Information Architecture: Problems

• Lack of clarityInformation is arranged un-intuitively and often hard to find.e.g. the “Traveling Exhibits” link is within the “Education Resources” section, but the “Exhibits” section makes no mention of it

Home > Education Resources

Home > Exhibits

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Information Architecture: Problems

• Circular redundancyLarge sections of the web site are either available through multiple paths (occasionally necessary, but usually not) or link back and forth between each other. This redundancy reflects confusion in the information architecturee.g. “Preservation Imaging Department” is not only a major link under both “Collections/Library” as well as “Conservation” but is also described differently in each case

Home > Conservation

Home > Collections/Library

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Information Architecture: Solutions

• Too “flat”: Revamped information architecture to increase hierarchy and reduce surface-level overload

• Lack of clarity: Arranged information more simply and intuitively

• Circular redundancy: Removed link redundancies except where absolutely necessary

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Web Site Design: Problems

• Dated / UninspiringArchaic design / Insipid use of arrangement and colors

• Unintuitive / Inconsistent Lack of affordances / Different fonts, colors and styles for similar items

• Inefficient use of screen real-estate

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Web Site Design: Solution - Static Prototypes

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IHS Web Redesign (link)

Web Site Design: Solution - Dynamic Prototype

Functional links:

1) IHS Home

2) IHS > About IHS > Mission

3) IHS > Visitor Info > Directions / Hours

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Evaluation: Design Testing

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• Favorite Users List A user would be able to compile a list of favorite users. When online, he/she would be able to see this list that would also show the conversations these users were participating in at that time.

• Private MessagesThe ability to send another user a message visible only to him/her.

• User IconsWhile mostly a cosmetic addition, these would help add some individuality.

• Emotion Icons (or “Emoticons”)Emoticons are now an integral part of text-based chatting. Incorporating them would further expand our work since, in additional to an emotional state or mood, users would be able to portray specific emotions related to a certain message or comment.

Evaluation: Further work

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Thank You