Usability SeminarMarch 20, 2007

Paper Prototyping

a case study at

Cornell University Library

Melissa Kuo

DLIT

What is paper prototyping?

"Paper prototyping is a variation of usability testing where representative users perform realistic tasks by interacting with a paper version of the interface that is manipulated by a person ‘playing computer,’ who doesn’t explain how the interface is intended to work."

Source: Paper Prototyping: The Fast and Easy Way to Design and Refine User Interfaces (Snyder, 2003)

Why use paper prototyping?

Conceptual, high level, early stages of design Quick and easy to change All team members could participate Users feel more free to respond, interface

seems more changeable Alternative to electronically-generated

wireframes, Photoshop comps, HTML prototypes

Possible findings (modify this slide for easier flow of talking?) Usability issues

Example: bad labels, layout problems, navigation Missing functional requirements

Example: search features Preference for one design alternative

Example: drop-down list vs. checkboxes Priorities

Example: browse by category vs. browse A-Z list Issues outside the user interface

Example: using Gateway vs. never using it

Source: Paper Prototyping (Snyder, 2003)

Example

Example

Example

Case Study: WebFeat Implementation

Basic layout ideas New service Web development by

WebFeat

The process

1. form usability sub-group

2. consult with A&U group

3. formulate key tasks and test questions

4. get materials and create prototypes

5. recruit and schedule subjects

6. run tests

7. discuss results, make changes, rinse and repeat

Key Tasks

Find articles on a topicFind imagesLocate and search a specific databaseLocate a particular e-journal

Sample Questions

Find some articles on the musician Dorsey Harvey.

How would you find an image of an art nouveau painting?

Find an article in the database Agricola. Find the journal Psychology and Law.

Others… Find the book Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. Once you got a list of results, how would you email

them to yourself?

How to cut paper and glue stuff

Low fidelity vs. high fidelity prototypesDon’t have to draw straight linesMaterials include:

Drawing pad, markers, scissors, removable tape, restickable glue, white-out, index cards, paper

The test

Olin 111B Facilitator, “Computer”, Note-taker Meet students at reference desk Introductions, review consent form

“testing the system, not you” … “no wrong answers”

Run through questions room for flexibility, limited prompting of subjects

Subject questions? Sign receipt, see ya

Video

Reviewing data, making revisions (flesh this out, what to say)

Transcribe notes, post to wikiSub-group and group meetingChanges between rounds

Observations (flesh out)

Interesting responses from subjectsWhat comments are worth making

changes?

It was fun!

Resources

Paper Prototyping: a how to video (Nielsen-Normal Group, 2003)

Paper Prototyping: The Fast and Easy Way to Design and Refine User Interfaces (C. Snyder, 2003)

Use It – useit.comA List Apart – alistapart.com

Questions?

Melissa Kuo

Web Designer

Digital Library and Information Technologies (DLIT)

mhk33@cornell.edu