MIS 1013 Interaction Studies Project 2

MIS 1013 Interaction Studies Project 2
MIS 1013 Interaction Studies
Trimester 2 2011/2012
Project 2: Redesign, Prototyping, & Evaluation (Marks 15%).
Due: Week 14.
Introduction:
So far we have explored user centred research, applying design insights to existing designs and now, we are ready for some redesigning. For this project, you will go back on some of the principles learnt from Project 1 for a redesigning purpose. The project counts for 15% of total mark on this course. The aim of this project is to give you further practice in the redesigning of website, and then to be able to test your redesign with users.
1. Project Details
Taking the website you deemed as ‘bad’ in Project 1, you are required to redesign it. Use all the principles that you have learnt so far and will continue to pick up as the semester goes on (remember we are only in Week 7 and this is due in Week 14).
2. Deliverables.
i. Produce a pdf REPORT of between 12-15 pages in length (1.5" margins all around, 11 point font, Arial, 1.5 line spacing).
ii. Executive summary. You should summarise at a high level the work you did (research, design, redesign, user testing, etc) and the result of this work (final design). It also helps to explain in this section how your paper is organised to help orient the reader to your work. [~ 1 page].
iii. Introduction. Introduction to the redesign. Make sure that you offer a brief summary of what the design is, what do people do with it, why it was created, etc. Also discuss what might be wrong with this design based on your

experience and review. Identifying shortcomings is a great place to start the
design process. [~ 1 page].
iv. Design research. In this section, you must explain who your user group is and
what you did to understand them. Meaning did you do interviews, surveys,
looked up other similar websites, etc. [1 page].
v. Ideation. Design insights for your user group. Use your research (point above)
as well as your critique of the existing design to generate insights that will
inspire and inform your redesigns. [1-2 pages].
vi. Identifying personas. A written persona of someone in your user group
(someone you are making the website for). Use your design insight to develop a
persona for whom the redesign is catered to. Remember that this is a glimpse
into this person's life - who they are, what they like to do, etc. [1 page].
vii. Proposed redesigns. THREE (3) proposed redesigns of the website. In this
section, you should explain / justify why your group decided on what to change,
modify, or even eliminate from the original design. You must include basic
mock-ups (hand-drawn mock-ups are be accepted if scanned in). You will be
choosing ONE of these redesigns to conduct user testing. This is a chance to be
creative and explore your problem space. Feel free to be inventive! [~ 3 pages
for all of the redesigns combined].
viii. Choosing your design. Choose one of your proposed redesigns as a design
worthy of user testing. Explain your chosen redesign in detail. In this space you
should develop the rationale for your changes / updates / modifications / etc.
Remember to connect this discussion to your design insights and persona.
Explain major new features and how they operate. [~ 1 page].
ix. User testing. You must test your chosen redesign with at least 2 users. Explain
what you had your users do. Discuss results from this testing. What did you
learn about your tested design from your users? What feedback from your
users was helpful and what feedback was not? You cannot blindly trust users,
sometimes you need to exercise design judgment and determine when to not
act on user feedback. Justify these choices. Do you have any new design insights
based on user feedback? If so, explain them! [~ 2-3 pages].

x. Final design. Iterate on your user tested design to incorporate (or not) their feedback. If you do not have any valuable user feedback to incorporate into your design, you will need to redesign anyways! Explain changes to your final design in detail. Justify these changes based on your user feedback, insights, research, persona, etc. Explain any new functions. [1-2 pages].
xi. References. At least 8 references / citations. [~ 1 page].
TIP: Make sure that there is a connection throughout your paper to your design insights, person, and context, etc. This will help in creating a solid paper as well as help you to support and justify your final redesigns.
2. Submission Format.
1. Print out your report. It should be wire bound. The 1st page should be a plastic cover. The next page will be your front page with group member names, ID’s, date of submission, class name, class code and website url.
2. Submit the pdf on a CDR. The CD should be in a slim jewel case and include your group member names, ID’s, date of submission, class name, class code and website url. These details should be easily read on the front of the CD case.
3. It is your responsibility to make sure the CD works.
3. Assessment criteria.
- Quality and completeness of structure, clarity, and presentation.
- Quality of writing.
- Quality of understanding and effectiveness presenting ideas.
- Quality of understanding of users and user needs.
- Quality of understanding of design principles and guidelines, and their application.

- Quality of justification of techniques and understanding of limitations/trade-offs of choices.
- Quality of critical reflection on the design process.
- Appropriate application of related literature/works cited.