Thursday, 3 September

Week 2: Logos and Layout

Reminder: You can see the course's "big picture" in the schedule presented in the last two pages of the syllabus. 

New Google Logo:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2015/09/google-update.html 

Mini-Project 1: Logotype Design exercise due

How did you get on with your mini-projects? Do you understand and can you do things now that you couldn't do two weeks ago?

We will look at some examples of your work in class once they've been graded

Introduce Project 1: Assessing User-Interaction

Review brief and Resources [Canvas]

Case Study: Smart Design 
http://smartdesignworldwide.com/

From Objectified:

Affordances

"A property in which the physical characteristics or environment influence its function."

"Whenever possible you should design objects and environments to afford their intended function, and negatively afford improper use. For example, stackable chairs should only stack one way."

Constraints 

"A method of limiting the actions that can be performed on a system."

There are two types of constraints:

1. Physical constraints, e.g. paths, axes, and barriers
2. Psychological constraints, e.g. symbols, conventions, and mappings

Review Examples via Slide Show

Method: Observation

What are we observing, looking for?

The clues that guide user-interaction within spaces

Meet with your group members, exchange contact information, and engage in the following in-class activity:

Each group should choose one object you have with you, e.g. smart phone in case, backpack, clothing, and identify the intended affordances and constraints in each -- are they successful or unsuccessful. Why?

Now make a plan of action with your team for completing the project. How are you going to complete the interim assignment below as a team? (Submit a single write-up as a group at the end of class, write the names of all participating group members on the sheet).

Indicate in your write up if your team is willing to present your preliminary findings next Tuesday. 

Homework for Tuesday, 8 September:

Read the materials provided in Canvas Assignments on Affordances and Constraints and review your notes from class.

Look, as a group, at a variety of designed situations that meet the criteria set out above. Do a preliminary analysis of your interaction with them using the affordance/constraint framework. Document these interactions in images (still and, if you wish, moving) and in words.

Choose the richest example you found and analyze the affordances and constraints you find, noting how successful or not they were at supporting the intended activity.

Prepare for a pop quiz addressing the following questions based on the information presented in class and, especially, in your assigned reading: UXD, pp. 104 - 105 "Constraints" (corrected page numbers) and the materials on Affordances and Constraints provided in Canvas Assignments:

1. What is an “affordance”? What are the aspects of an affordance? Cite an example of an effective affordance from your own experience.
2. What is a “constraint”? What are the aspects of a constraint? Cite an example of an effective constraint from your own experience.
3. What problems result from poorly designed constraints? Cite an example of a poorly designed constraint from your experience interacting with IT.
4. Be able to recognize the difference between a Serif and San Serif font.