Monday was another get on with it week and as I only needed to add the CGI script to the website I was concentrating on the usability questionnaire. I got the questionnaire done in the morning as I’d done some mind maps and thought of some questions in self study. I had planned to get the CGI script on the website in the afternoon but due to unseen circumstances I ended up starting the process of redesigning the website header and layout. This came in the form of feedback from Steve and all though I quite liked the previous design I have to agree with Steve there are some parts of the website layout that need changing.
These are mainly due to the measurement I chose on the screen design and have created long line lengths and a lot of white space between the terms. I need to redesign the header to make it more appealing and make it look like there has been some effort put into it as at the moment it’s plain and boring.
This has increased the work load a bit so I can get it completed for testing after the holidays, but I enjoyed creating the previous one and it will make the website more accessible. But I have to say Steve made a point that it’s good to just play with the design in Photoshop a bit to try and improve it, when he redesigned the header and came up with several different designs in a few minuets.
The timed task on Tuesday was enjoyable and I improved on my time planning from the last timed task. But there was still one thing I didn’t do, which was getting feedback on the designs from Steve early on. My excuse for this was that there were a few people waiting for feedback and I didn’t think I would have time to wait. This could have turned out quite bad, if I’d made a mistake in the design and had to amend it later on.
In the afternoon I got quite a lot of work done on the hand out and I’m quite happy with how it’s going. I still have some work to do on it and the presentation, which will be the main thing I concentrate on over the holidays. But I’m going to make sure I get the website and usability questionnaire completed.
I reckon getting feedback from Steve is key in these timed tasks. Not just for getting the design OK’d, but also because he takes the time to check the accuracy of the content on the design. This proved useful to me the other when I had a misspelling on my ‘Hokai’ label.
In my opinion, the time taken to see Steve, even if you have to queue, is probably more valuable than the extra few minutes working on the design.
Hi Greg
Feedback is a very important aspect of our line of work; it becomes even more valuable when it is from someone who has industry experience so make use of it where you can!
The CGI script is proving to be problematic to me also; however, I am close, I can feel it.
Usability and accessibility are becoming very more serious issues; I believe that practicing usability testing will aid us greatly in the future.
In my experience feedback is only useful when it is constructive. Similarly to you I have amended certain elements of the design to enhance the aesthetics and increase usability. Despite initial false starts it sounds like you are well on the way to completing the assignment. Well done you!
When can we see your website?.
Feedback from anyone is helpful, Even if you have to wait in queue for w couple of minuites it could help you quite alot, i only asked for feedback one, next time ill have to do it more frequently
Hi Greg
Yea even though I am not doing all the timed tasks, I think getting Steves criticism will help. Treat him like a client, even if he’s busy line up and get your chance. The timed tasks are fun I think they are a good as they teach you how to cope under pressure.
The CGI pearl is being a bit of a problem for me however I think I should have it working by next week, I think the key is to read the instructions on the practise form very carefully.
Thanks, Martyn
A good book about usability (and a small section on how to do simple yet effective usability tests) is Steve Krug’s ‘Don’t make me think!’.
It’s only a small book so it won’t take you too long to read, but the stuff he says in there will help you immensely when designing websites.
I only wish I had read it at the very beginning of year 1 instead of only reading bits; it really is that worthy of a read.