FINAL 1040 Design
posted by Lisa Thomas at 11:44 AM
1 comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
User Testing Comparison
At this point of the process user testing would have been ideal for finalizing usability aspects of our design, unfortunately sacrifices had to be made and we chose direct our efforts towards the aesthetic layout (we are designers after all) and just getting it done on time.
If we had enough time to actually follow through with user testing we would have done a user comparison test. By examining the problems and breakdowns with the older form, versus our re-designed wireframe prototype, we could see any overlooked issues with our newer design. Essentially we would have them fill out the original form, and then fill out our re-designed form and see the differences between them. This type of controlled testing in this case would have to be unbias; meaning we would probably label the old form "FORM A" and the newer "FORM B." We could then directly connect our interview questions to each form. For example by asking; which form was easier to fill out(circle one):
If we had enough time to actually follow through with user testing we would have done a user comparison test. By examining the problems and breakdowns with the older form, versus our re-designed wireframe prototype, we could see any overlooked issues with our newer design. Essentially we would have them fill out the original form, and then fill out our re-designed form and see the differences between them. This type of controlled testing in this case would have to be unbias; meaning we would probably label the old form "FORM A" and the newer "FORM B." We could then directly connect our interview questions to each form. For example by asking; which form was easier to fill out(circle one):
- FORM A
- FORM B
posted by Lisa Thomas at 9:36 AM
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Concept Progression
Layout Progression:
- Grayed out certain areas to provide visual separation and direction to our layout
- Added the page numbers of the pamphlet into our Index for user referencing
- Re-worded the vocabulary to be clear and succinct, and for easy comprehension
- Changed the section titled, "Other Taxes" to be called "Additional Taxes"
- Layout includes 13 different categories
WIREFRAME 1:
page 1
page 3
page 4
WIREFRAME 2:
page 1
page 2
page 3
posted by Lisa Thomas at 9:31 AM
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Class February 6, 2006
Quick synopsis of class:
- Today in class we compared and analyzed different types of charts and graphs. There are appropriate graphs for specific types of data. We explored non-traditional and more complex graph visualization for more complicated problems. One important key take-away from class was to remember to not treat our audience as if they are dumb. Designers, especially interaction /industrial designers often get caught up in their creative culture and forget that the so-called "user" actually has a brain.
- "Make meaning out of data. "
TYPES OF CHARTS AND GRAPHS:
pie chart
double Y-axis graphs
tubular presentation
rose graph
trilinear plots
implicit graphs
posted by Lisa Thomas at 9:30 AM
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Sunday, February 05, 2006
Friday, February 03, 2006
Class: Wednesday February 1, 2006: Edward Tufte
www.edwardtufte.com
Edward Tufte is a statistician (some say Artist, Information Architect, or Designer) and a Professor at Yale with a focus in Statistical Evidence. My first thought was why are we, designers, learning about a statistician's theories and methodologies? Tufte's "Big Ideas" spawn from the lack of visual, numeric, and lingual elements within data charts and graphs. Tufte analyzes and demonstrates why these charts fail to represent information in an understandable, clear, and relevant way, and why some may become deceiving to their user. Tufte's mission is to remarkably make people aware of this problem by touring and conducting speeches all over the US. His solutions are based off of his 5 Grand Principals:
1. Enforce Visual Comparisons- we can draw conclusions through visual comparisons easier and faster, than if they came from mathematical or conceptual comparisons.
2. Show Causality- One thing makes another thing occur, This reminded me of the "IF...Than...Thus..." theorem from geometry class, IF [this] occurs, THAN [this] must be true or false, THUS [this] must be true or false. Example: If the temperature outside is below 32ยบ, Than it must be cold, Thus we must wear warm clothing.
3. Show Multivariate Data- Try to show data in more than two dimensions, thus enhancing the meaning or point of the graph, and the viewing experience. Doing so by not Insulting the user's intelligence.
4. Integrate all Visual Elements (words, numbers, images)- include images, text, and numbers where visually appropriate, without using a "key" or "legend" which forces the user to learn your system.
5. Content Driven Design- Quality. Relevance. Integrity.
How Does Tufte apply to this project?
Edward's 5 ideas can all be applied the the re-design of the 1040 tax form. According to Tufte's principals, the 1040 tax form fails to communicate to its manual users. By now it may seem redundant, but the 1040's information isn't represented in a clear and understandable manner or format, it requires a "legend" or in this case an entire book of explanations and directions (which then direct a user to a tele-hotline for FURTHER UNDERSTANDING!) in order to understand the point of the content. No wonder people DRED doing their taxes. Because of its complexity, the integral reasoning behind why people do taxes in the first place is forgotten.
Edward Tufte is a statistician (some say Artist, Information Architect, or Designer) and a Professor at Yale with a focus in Statistical Evidence. My first thought was why are we, designers, learning about a statistician's theories and methodologies? Tufte's "Big Ideas" spawn from the lack of visual, numeric, and lingual elements within data charts and graphs. Tufte analyzes and demonstrates why these charts fail to represent information in an understandable, clear, and relevant way, and why some may become deceiving to their user. Tufte's mission is to remarkably make people aware of this problem by touring and conducting speeches all over the US. His solutions are based off of his 5 Grand Principals:
1. Enforce Visual Comparisons- we can draw conclusions through visual comparisons easier and faster, than if they came from mathematical or conceptual comparisons.
2. Show Causality- One thing makes another thing occur, This reminded me of the "IF...Than...Thus..." theorem from geometry class, IF [this] occurs, THAN [this] must be true or false, THUS [this] must be true or false. Example: If the temperature outside is below 32ยบ, Than it must be cold, Thus we must wear warm clothing.
3. Show Multivariate Data- Try to show data in more than two dimensions, thus enhancing the meaning or point of the graph, and the viewing experience. Doing so by not Insulting the user's intelligence.
4. Integrate all Visual Elements (words, numbers, images)- include images, text, and numbers where visually appropriate, without using a "key" or "legend" which forces the user to learn your system.
5. Content Driven Design- Quality. Relevance. Integrity.
How Does Tufte apply to this project?
Edward's 5 ideas can all be applied the the re-design of the 1040 tax form. According to Tufte's principals, the 1040 tax form fails to communicate to its manual users. By now it may seem redundant, but the 1040's information isn't represented in a clear and understandable manner or format, it requires a "legend" or in this case an entire book of explanations and directions (which then direct a user to a tele-hotline for FURTHER UNDERSTANDING!) in order to understand the point of the content. No wonder people DRED doing their taxes. Because of its complexity, the integral reasoning behind why people do taxes in the first place is forgotten.
posted by Lisa Thomas at 5:29 PM
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