Studio 13 - Lo-fo Prototyping

Concept

My concept idea is to create a simplified GPS (Global Positioning System) interface for the sole purpose of being used as a GPS device. This should be able to tell the user where they are location (current location), what street/road they are on, street/road names in the surrounding area and places of interest/landmarks around them. It should also be capable of giving the user directions to requested and/or previously saved locations.

Focus area

For the Lo-fi prototype I will mainly focus on the menu system (navigation), because I want to make sure that the user will be able to quickly and easily navigate their way through the GPS system. From the Lo-fi prototype the user should be able to:
- Navigate their way around the system
- Understand the systems buttons (located on the menu system)
- Complete a small scenario given to them in the usability test
- Perform basic functions of the interface without any problems
- Provide informative feedback

The prototype will not focus on other 'possible' areas such as; voice commands, audio instructions, saving locations etc the main focus of this prototype is to test the usability of the navigation aspect of the GPS interface. Using a Lo-fi prototype also means that the prototype model will not focus on the display side of things. Very basic graphics will be implemented thus meaning that a user will not be able to physically press any buttons, but more simply, point to the buttons they wish to interact with and then the user will be presented with the corresponding interface via a researcher.

User Tasks

The user will be given a short scenario to complete and whilst they are taking up the scenario they will be completing tasks given to them from the scenario. The tasks will be:
- Locate the map from the home screen
- Find their current location
- Navigate back to the home screen via the home button
- Enter a location to look up on the map
- Setup directions from their previous location to their current location
- Find the favourites menu
- Return to the home screen

All of the above tasks will be the same for each test subject (user). I will be using a range of test subjects throughout the usability study to find out if there are any problems that occur and if so; do they commonly occur in the same type of test subject and why.