1. Usability vs Aesthetics (Is the interface attractive? Is it functional?)
2. Number of options / freedom given to user when posting a need.
3. Cycle of interaction & incentives (Are the elements of the app engaging?)
4. Other problems you think the team might have faced
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My own guidelines:
- General comments on User Interface Design
- General comments on Functionality
- Analysis of vital aspects of the application
- Resulting reflections on functionality
- Other links
- Conclusion
General comments on User Interface Design:
I like the simple interface, though I think it can still be improved on. I've done up a rough sample of how I think the home page can be improved in terms of interface design:
(click to view full size ^_^)
- I really disliked the slanted navigation bar at the top because it is hard to read, so I think putting them all horizontal will be more pleasing to the eye.
- Having the Application title prominently on the home page will also help people to know what application they are at. Aligning the title with the icons also leads the eye gently towards the navigation bar icons so people will take notice of them.
- Having a unified color scheme might be a good idea to unify design on the home page.
- Make it clear to users the sequence of how to get help, by putting Step 1 prominently.
- Some rudimentary instructions should be given on the page, so I've suggested it to be placed in the grey box under the type box so that it is not glaring but prominent enough.
- Use the catchphrase "Get Help" consistently, even on the button, so people get used to the name and can remember your application.
- Other options should be clearly labeled, so people know what kind of category of decisions they are making.
- Different options should be clearly demarcated from each other so as to give a neater feel to the layout.
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General comments on Functionality:
I thought improving the layout was the entire solution to the problem, but when I tried to imagine using the application, I came across some problems, even with the improved layout design above.
- The "Get Help" button should be below after all the options, because the current design gives no clear sequence of selection. Users might be confused and click "Get Help" first, then choose the options.
- After looking through the rest of the pages are about, I just realized that I totally missed out the Overview button on the homepage, as well as the new project and recommendation buttons. Those buttons are VITAL to the application, and definitely should be more prominent.
Analysis of vital aspects of the application:
Since I feel that user experience design and functionality are very closely tied together, discussing what makes the application work would help in discussing functionality design.
What makes this application work:
1. It helps to broadcast your need to other people who might be able to help you
2. It lets you know who needs help so you can help them
3. It encourages you to help others with a badge reward system and a statistics section.
Resulting reflections on functionality:
Since these 3 points are the most important fuctions of the application, I would suggest a radical re-working of the homepage to incorporate all 3 functions, something like this.
(click to view full size ^_^)
The homepage should feature prominently the three main "appealing" aspects of the application, in order to encourage ease of use.
- Get help is the most prominent, as users need it most frequently.
- I have minimized the "other options" into a button, when clicked, it will open up a drop down menu, allow users to select choices, then click Get Help. (I'm hoping the sequence of events is more logical using a drop down menue. ^_^)
- I would suggest putting up the friend feed on the homepage (in an iframe), so users can see at once who needs help. The three options, recommend, help, and wish, are to be prominent on every call for help.
- Lastly, the number of badges received should feature on the homepage also, to motive users to help others.
Other Links:
Since I have incorporated the overview page into the homepage, the other links on homepage should be:
1 - Leaderboard (Statistics)
2. - Projects
3 - Invite
SHUCKS. I just remembered, the user should get some feedback on the home page too, if someone agrees to help him. How come the proposal didn't state that at all!?
That feed should be on the homepage too, something like this:
Wei Man needs help with Adobe Premiere!
"Yilynn has offered to help you with Adobe Premiere!" [contact her] [thank her]
"Matthew has offered to help you with Adobe Premiere!" [contact him] [thank him]
This should be above the "Help Your Friends" section.
The Projects page could have a record of all the help the user has asked for and all the help that the user has received.
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Conclusion
I feel that the application is useful and innovative way to get help, and will be very much improved by better user interface.. ^_^
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