The Information School of the University of Washington Information System Design Info-440 Autumn 2002

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 2 Agenda Quick overview of syllabus Greetings Break What’s this course about? Quick overview of assignments Next time

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 3 Who? David Hendry (instructor) –Office hours: Mon, 2-3; Wed, 4:30-5:30 –By appointment –Mary Gates, 330J Lydia Harris (teaching assistant) –Office hours: Mon, 9-12; Wed 9-12 –Location to be finalized (for now, room #416)

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 4 Where? Class: Mary Gates Hall, 228 –Monday, 12:30 – 1:50 –Wednesday, 12:30 – 1:50 Lab: Mary Gates Hall, 030 –Wednesday, 3:30 – 4:20

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 5 Course aims –Discover how design methods can control complexity and lead to systems that better fulfill human needs –Develop an appreciation for the theory and sensibilities that underlie effective design practice –Improve individual and collaborative skills in design problem solving

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 6 Assignments* Four design exercises 40% Interactive prototyping project 30% Four quizzes20% Participation 10% *See website for details

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 7 Course resources Course website – Discussion board –See contact information (in syllabus)

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 8 Course resources Required text –Nielsen, J. (1994). Usability Engineering. New York: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers Weekly readings –See schedule (in syllabus) Suggested texts –See Textbooks & readings (in syllabus)

The Information School of the University of Washington Greetings…

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 10 Three questions In INFO-440, I want to learn 1.… 2.… My favorite information system is 1.…

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 11 David Call me –David –Dr. Hendry or Prof. Hendry New assistant professor –X-functional design –End-user programming –Information system design & evaluation Previously –Manager of User-Interface Research, Terra Lycos –Research Scientist (software) at WiseWire –PhD in computer science

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 12 Lydia Harris

The Information School of the University of Washington What is this course about?

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 14 Information System Design? Three abstract words –information –system –design Question? –What does design mean to you?

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 15 Design Method Activity –A procedure that leads toward a final solution Form –Document, sketch, model, conversation, etc. Process –The output of a design method becomes the input to the next step

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 16 Examples Brainstorming session User scenario Task analysis Competitive audit Marketing requirements document Wireframe sketch many, many others…

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 17 The objective An information system that fulfils human needs How do you know? Usability… ISO Definition The effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction with which specified users achieve specified goals in particular environments

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 18 Definition of usability From Nielsen (p. 26) –Learnability –Efficiency –Memorability –Errors –Satisfaction

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 19 Many more factors, of course Usefulness Versatility Pleasurability Values It makes money…

The Information School of the University of Washington Designing usable information systems is very hard Case of the Gatorade bottles

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 21 Key features Patented lip cap –Based on an anthropometric study of lip size and shape Grip zone –Based on hand sizes (5 th – 95 th percentiles) Contours –Based on finger sizes See

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 22 Observations Details matter Good designs are ‘transparent’ To get it right, takes research, trial-and- error, and a lot of work What about a watch, an encyclopedia, a website, or other information system?

The Information School of the University of Washington Quick overview of assignments

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 24 Deliverable guidelines Standard cover sheet Standard formatting Grading guidelines Late policy Re-grading policy *See website for details

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 25 Assignments Design exercises (4 assignments) –Studying artifacts –Organize facts and deriving concepts (group) … Interactive prototype project –Quarter-long, individual work –Four intermediate deliverables –Final deliverable: 13 December

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 26 Assignments (cont.) Weekly quizzes –20min –Short answers Participation –Ask questions, give answers –Show work, accept criticism –Develop an on-line journal (more later)

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 27 My goals and Expectations No sleepy-time classes Everything we do in class has a point You’ll get actionable, timely feedback Communicate with me: Too easy/hard, too much reading, etc… Academic honesty is very important I expect to learn from you and become a better designer The syllabus is our roadmap

The Information School of the University of Washington INFO-440 (session 1 - 9/30/2002) 28 Next time Read –Norman, Chapter 1 –Nielsen, Chapter 2 –Syllabus –Design exercise #1 Sign-up for discussion board –Post questions