Human Computer Interaction for Gift Shop - MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theHuman Computer Interaction for Gift Shop. Answer: Design Overview A gift shop that presently uses a manual system where shoppers select items from the store and then pays fro them at the counter with attendants. The gift shop, however, wants to use a web based system, but first intends to test the system at the premises using a hybrid system where shoppers select the items they want and verify them, then proceed to make payments at the premise from attendant counters. The system is aimed at being used as a web portal if it passes the testing phase; the interface will be based on tablets place at strategic locations at the gift shop entrance and will be connected to the shop stock system. The design for the gift shop is done to be used as a touch screen on large tablets. The assumptions made when designing is that the users will have the ability to read the various items on screen and that they are also able to see the items (they are not visually impaired), as well as having hands. It is also assumed the interface will work with different operating systems in tablets and render the same design interface. Following the Shneidermans Eight Golden Rules, the website is designed simply and elegantly with few colors that remain consistent throughout. The background is designed with white space for greater contrast. Font size used is PT Sans + PT Serif in font size 24 or 18, bold and black for easy readability. User feedback is simplified via color changing icons and pop-up messages that only show when an action is taken. The interface invites users to take action and the same placement for icons and color is used for comprehension and consistency. The minimalist design follows on the Shneidermans Eight Golden Rules for ease of use and standard icons and screen items The interface meets the user requirements in that users can intuitively learn using it and get visual as well as text feedback through pop-up messages. The same icons are used in every page as are the colors to maintain consistency. Few colors are used so that the interface noise is reduced. The website is designed to invite action from the users and will have simple error handling and action reversal mechanism through pop-up messages. Users will also have a summary of their selected items and a summary of the cost and can choose to collect or have them delivered. Further, users can get help by selecting the help button either by selecting to type or use the voice prompt. Business and User Requirements The envisaged trial shopping interface should enable customers to get the information they requires as soon as possible, without having to skim and scan over lots of information. Further, the user interface should be intuitive enough to enable quick and adaptive learning. The landing page is designed on the front end to enable easy comprehension by customers . The customers want an intuitive, simple, and easy to use interface. The business wants a system that updates their inventory as items are picked and also captures new customer details or updates existing customer details. Key Assumptions The users have basic computer knowledge and are able to read ( and write) using a touch input device The users all have visual capability and can see the screen and items When the users confirm the items, they are brought to the check-out area The interface can work with a variety of operating systems installed in the tablets and render the same design interface The users have hands to touch the items on the screen Interface Design The design for the interface is shown in the image below; As depicted above, the home page will have a main product/ special offer displayed at the center with text and image/ images as well as a price so users can see clearly the price and the product. The page is designed with minimalism and elegance, using the principle of simplicity and conciseness. At the top, there will be four buttons, the first on the right being the home button with company logo, the next two buttons will be links to either men or women products, and the last button will be a search button (Jarmo, Jukka Jaana, 2015). The user interface is meant to be used as a touch screen being the main input device/ method. The buttons are therefore made large enough. On either side of the main featured product are scroll buttons where uses can scroll to the left or right for the offers of the day/ featured products. At the bottom is a button where visitors can leave a comment, a total purchases button (shopping basket), and a button to seek live support. (Galitz, 2007). In line hints, the use of icons and illustrations will be incorporated into the web page, and the entire page will be designed to be simple and concise. Further, a large signal to noise ratio will be used in such a way that the signals (referring to important elements) will be given prominence over noise (superfluous elements). The design will use few but contrasting and blending colors with whitespace used for the background to enhance visibility. Further, the font and its color is PT Sans + PT Serif in font size 24, black color for headings, and 18 font size, for descriptions and other information (Bank, 2007). After clicking a button, the button changes color and the button for the present page turns green. Any selected item is added to a cart and the total prices shown, with the button for Totals also changing color for impact as depicted below; Justification for the Design The use of a minimalist (Obendorf, 2009) design interface with a few colors is meant to help customers avoid skimming and scanning for what they need; upon landing on the page, they will see the important things; this helps avoid noise (superfluous elements). The use of PT Sans + PT Serif font is to have impact; the font are bold to size 24 for easy visibility for anyone, including those whose eyesight is not as good. The large font sizes will enable an easy to read interface and description of products, including prices. The same design format for the elements is used in all subsequent pages to allow easy comprehension and use by the customers. The icons and buttons are made large so that all fingers, including large ones can press a single button that leads to the desired page; this is helped by wider spacing so users do not accidentally press two buttons simultaneously. Just one of a few main products are shown at the center of the page to reduce page noise. The help button automa tically opens a chat pane where users can select to type text ( a hidden keyboard pops up automatically when this option is selected) or use voice chat if they select the voice chat option. If a shopper clicks the search button, a keyboard pops-up with hints given while the customer is typing, for example typing bra.brings hints such as Bracelets...or Bras; this is to make the user experience as satisfactory as possible. If the search item is unavailable, the client can leave a message to request to be notified on their e-mail as soon as its available. To make the experience less intrusive and invite more customers to browse more, as soon as a customer selects items and is ready to confirm all products, a window will pop up to ask if they are regular registered customers or new customers; if new, they can enter their details and select options such as payment and delivery, otherwise registered customers will be asked to log in. if they qualify for any offers, this will automatically be adjusted in their account. The design is justified based on the Shneidermans Eight Golden Rules for consistency (similar buttons and color scheme), informative feedback with color changin g buttons, simple error handling where confirmation is asked for each action, supports internal control locus where users are invited to initiate action, and a simple and elegant design to reduce short term memory load (Sturm, 2005), (Wong, 2017). References Bank, C. (2007). Understanding Web UI Elements Principles. Published in Awwards. Web. Accessed May 23, 2017 Available: https://www.awwwards.com/understanding-web-ui- elements-principles.html Galitz, W. O. (2007). The Essential Guide to User Interface Design: An Introduction to GUI Design Principles and Techniques. Hoboken: John Wiley Sons. Jarmo, K., Jukka, H., Jaana, S. (2015). Perception of visual advertising in different media: from attention to distraction, persuasion, preference and memory. Frontiers Media SA. Obendorf, H. (2009). Minimalism: Designing simplicity. London: Springer. Sturm, J. (2005). On the usability of multimodal interaction for mobile access to information services. S.l: s.n. Wong, E. (2017). Shneidermans Eight Golden Rules Will Help You Design Better Interfaces. Published in The Intercation Design Foundation. Web. Accessed May 23, 2017 Available: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/shneiderman-s-eight-golden-rules-will- help-you-design-better-interfaces