You must submit two separate copies (one Word file and one PDF file) using the Assignment Template on Blackboard via the allocated folder. These files must not be in compressed format.
It is your responsibility to check and make sure that you have uploaded both the correct files.
Zero mark will be given if you try to bypass the SafeAssign (e.g., misspell words, remove spaces between words, hide characters, use different character sets, convert text into image or languages other than English or any kind of manipulation).
Email submission will not be accepted.
You are advised to make your work clear and well-presented. This includes filling your information on the cover page.
You must use this template, failing which will result in zero mark.
You MUST show all your work, and text must not be converted into an image, unless specified otherwise by the question.
Late submission will result in ZERO mark.
The work should be your own, copying from students or other resources will result in ZERO mark.
Use Times New Romanfont for all your answers.
Find an everyday handheld device, for example, a remote control, digital camera, or smartphone and examine how it has been designed, paying particular attention to how the user is meant to interact with it.
a.From your first impressions, write down what is good and bad about the way the device works. (0.5 Marks)
b.Discuss some of the core micro-interactions that are supported by it. Are they pleasurable, easy, and obvious? (0.5 Marks)
c.Finally, discuss possible improvements to the interface based on the answers given for A and B (1 Marks)
Assume that, you have been hired as an interaction designer for a new smart home device called “EcoThermostat” that claims to regulate home temperature while also being environmentally friendly. Use the principles of a user-centered approach to address the following:
a.Identify at least three different potential user groups for the EcoThermostat. (0.5 Marks)
b.Develop a hypothetical scenario in which a user interacts with the EcoThermostat. Describe what aspects of the user’s reactions and performance you would want to observe and record. (0.5 Marks)
c.Based on your above scenario, identify two potential problems users might encounter when using the EcoThermostat. (0.5 Marks)
d.Describe how you would address these problems in the design. (0.5 Marks)
Note: Remember to provide justifications for your responses, drawing from the principles of a user-centered approach as discussed in the course.
Compare the following:
“A traditional landline telephone and a modern smartphone messaging app.”
a.From your observations, discuss any elements in the smartphone messaging app’s conceptual model that might be confusing or counterintuitive for users familiar with the traditional landline telephone. (1 Marks)
b.Analyze any three pros and cons of each communication tool’s design, especially in relation to their conceptual models and interface metaphors. (1 Marks)
Note: Remember to provide justifications for your responses, drawing from the principles of a user-centered approach as discussed in the course.
Choose a technological product (e.g., a smartphone, a smart home device, a wearable, or any software application) that you frequently use.
a.Discuss the importance of these cognitive aspects in the design of the chosen product’s user interface. (0.5 Marks)
b.Identify and briefly describe two different cognitive frameworks that could be applied to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). (1 Marks)
c.Explain what a mental model is in the context of HCI. (0.5 Marks)
Note: Remember to provide justifications for your responses, drawing from the Cognitive Aspects concepts discussed in the course.
College of Computing and Informatics
Assignment 1
Deadline: Thursday 05/10/2023 @ 23:59
[Total Mark for this Assignment is 8]
Student Details:
Name: ###
ID: ###
CRN: ###
Instructions:
• You must submit two separate copies (one Word file and one PDF file) using the Assignment Template on
Blackboard via the allocated folder. These files must not be in compressed format.
• It is your responsibility to check and make sure that you have uploaded both the correct files.
• Zero mark will be given if you try to bypass the SafeAssign (e.g., misspell words, remove spaces between
words, hide characters, use different character sets, convert text into image or languages other than English
or any kind of manipulation).
• Email submission will not be accepted.
• You are advised to make your work clear and well-presented. This includes filling your information on the cover
page.
• You must use this template, failing which will result in zero mark.
• You MUST show all your work, and text must not be converted into an image, unless specified otherwise by
the question.
• Late submission will result in ZERO mark.
• The work should be your own, copying from students or other resources will result in ZERO mark.
• Use Times New Roman font for all your answers.
Question One
Pg. 01
Learning
Outcome(s):
Define interaction
design process,
and describe
different type of
models, theories,
and frameworks
for
conceptualizing
interaction.
Question One
2 Marks
Find an everyday handheld device, for example, a remote control, digital
camera, or smartphone and examine how it has been designed, paying
particular attention to how the user is meant to interact with it.
a. From your first impressions, write down what is good and bad about the
way the device works. (0.5 Marks)
b. Discuss some of the core micro-interactions that are supported by it. Are
they pleasurable, easy, and obvious? (0.5 Marks)
c. Finally, discuss possible improvements to the interface based on the
answers given for A and B (1 Marks)
Question Two
Pg. 02
Learning
Outcome(s):
Define interaction
design process,
and describe
different type of
models, theories,
and frameworks
for
conceptualizing
interaction.
Question Two
2 Marks
Assume that, you have been hired as an interaction designer for a new smart
home device called “EcoThermostat” that claims to regulate home temperature
while also being environmentally friendly. Use the principles of a user-centered
approach to address the following:
a. Identify at least three different potential user groups for the
EcoThermostat. (0.5 Marks)
b. Develop a hypothetical scenario in which a user interacts with the
EcoThermostat. Describe what aspects of the user’s reactions and
performance you would want to observe and record. (0.5 Marks)
c. Based on your above scenario, identify two potential problems users
might encounter when using the EcoThermostat. (0.5 Marks)
d. Describe how you would address these problems in the design. (0.5
Marks)
Note: Remember to provide justifications for your responses, drawing from the
principles of a user-centered approach as discussed in the course.
Question Three
Pg. 03
Learning
Outcome(s):
Explain cognitive,
social, and
emotional aspects
of different types
of user interfaces
Question Three
2 Marks
Compare the following:
“A traditional landline telephone and a modern smartphone messaging app.”
a. From your observations, discuss any elements in the smartphone
messaging app’s conceptual model that might be confusing or
counterintuitive for users familiar with the traditional landline telephone.
(1 Marks)
b. Analyze any three pros and cons of each communication tool’s design,
especially in relation to their conceptual models and interface metaphors.
(1 Marks)
Note: Remember to provide justifications for your responses, drawing from the
principles of a user-centered approach as discussed in the course.
Question Four
Pg. 04
Learning
Outcome(s):
Explain cognitive,
social, and
emotional aspects
of different types
of user interfaces
Question Four
2 Marks
Choose a technological product (e.g., a smartphone, a smart home device, a
wearable, or any software application) that you frequently use.
a. Discuss the importance of these cognitive aspects in the design of the
chosen product’s user interface. (0.5 Marks)
b. Identify and briefly describe two different cognitive frameworks that could
be applied to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). (1 Marks)
c. Explain what a mental model is in the context of HCI. (0.5 Marks)
Note: Remember to provide justifications for your responses, drawing from the
Cognitive Aspects concepts discussed in the course.
