UID MU QPaper Solution (May 2023)

Q1. Attempt any FOUR

(a) What is good and bad design? Explain with example. (5 marks)
Ans-
Good and poor design in User Interface Design (UID) can make a significant
difference in the user experience (UX). A well-designed UI enhances usability,
accessibility, and overall satisfaction, while a poorly designed UI can lead to
confusion, frustration, and abandonment of the product.
Good Design in User Interface Design (UID)
1. User-Centric:
 Focuses on the needs and behaviors of users, ensuring the interface is intuitive
and tailored to their expectations.
 Example: Amazon’s shopping cart is simple and efficient, streamlining the
purchase process for users.
2. Consistency:
 Consistent design patterns across the interface (e.g., buttons, fonts, colors) help
users navigate easily and understand interactions.
 Example: Apple's iOS uses the same UI elements across apps, so users intuitively
know how to interact with the system.
3. Simplicity:
 A clean and minimal design that removes unnecessary elements to avoid
overwhelming users.
 Example: Google’s homepage is simple, focusing on the search function without
distractions.
4. Intuitive Navigation:
 Clear, easy-to-follow navigation that helps users move through the system
without confusion.
 Example: Netflix’s interface makes it easy to find content with intuitive
categories and recommendations.
5. Responsive Design:
 The interface adapts to different devices and screen sizes, offering a seamless
experience across all platforms.
 Example: Airbnb’s website adjusts perfectly on desktops, tablets, & smartphones.
Bad Design in User Interface Design (UID)
1. Cluttered Layout:
 Too many element that distract user & make it hard to focus on important content.
 Example: Yahoo's old homepage had excessive links and visuals, making it hard
to navigate.
2. Inconsistent UI Elements:
 Inconsistent use of buttons, fonts, or colors, confusing users about what actions to
take.
 Example: Early websites often used different styles on various pages, creating a
jarring experience.
3. Complicated Navigation:
 Confusing or overly complex menus that make it difficult for users to find what
they need.
 Example: Old government websites had deep, multi-layered menus that made it
hard to access information.
4. Slow Load Time:
 Excessive or unoptimized content that causes slow page loads, frustrating users
and leading to abandonment.
 Example: News sites with heavy ads or large images that significantly slow down
the page.
5. Unresponsive Design:
 The interface doesn’t adjust well to different screen sizes or devices, leading to a
poor mobile experience.
 Example: Early websites that didn’t have mobile-friendly designs, requiring users
to zoom in and scroll horizontally.

(b) What is the role of feedback in user interaction design? (5 marks)

Ans-
Feedback is the information provided to the user in response to their actions to let
them know the result or status of their interaction.
Role in UID:
1. Guides Users' Actions: Feedback shows users whether their actions have been
successful or if corrections are needed. For example, a "submit" button changing to a
loading spinner lets users know the action is being processed.
2. Confirms Success or Error: Positive feedback (e.g., a success message) confirms
that a user’s action was successful, while error feedback (e.g., a red warning) helps
users recognize and correct mistakes, improving the clarity of interactions.
3. Reduces Uncertainty: Feedback helps reduce uncertainty, making users feel more
confident that the system is responding to their actions. For example, showing
progress indicators lets users know how much longer a task will take, easing
frustration.
4. Enhances Engagement: Interactive feedback (like button animations or sound
effects) can make the experience more engaging, showing that the system is alive and
responsive.
5. Improves Learning and Efficiency: By providing clear feedback, users learn how
to interact with the system more efficiently, improving their performance over time.
For instance, when a user is guided step-by-step, feedback helps them know they are
on the right track.
6. Prevents Errors: Immediate feedback can warn users before they make mistakes
(e.g., “Are you sure you want to delete this?”), helping prevent potential errors or
undesirable outcomes.
7. Supports Personalization: Feedback can be tailored to individual user preferences
and behavior, offering personalized messages or actions based on previous
interactions, making the experience feel more customized.
8. Creates a Sense of Control: Feedback gives users a sense of control over their
actions by reassuring them that their inputs are being acknowledged and processed.
This is crucial in maintaining trust and satisfaction with the interface.
9. Guides User Flow: Proper feedback helps users understand what to do next,
improving the flow of tasks. For example, highlighting a next step or showing
contextual tips can guide users without overwhelming them.

(c) What do you mean by expressive interfaces? Explain with example. (5 marks)
Ans-
What are expressive interfaces?
Expressive interfaces in user interaction design refer to interfaces that go beyond
basic functionality to convey emotion, personality, or context in the way users interact
with a product. These interfaces use design elements like visual, animation & micro-
interactions to engage users emotionally, memorable, & reflect the brand’s identity.
Key Characteristics of Expressive Interfaces:
1. Visual Personality: Using colors, shapes, and styles to convey a specific mood or
brand identity.
2. Animations and Transitions: Smooth, playful, or deliberate animations that
respond to user actions, making the interface feel more dynamic.
3. Micro-Interactions: Small, meaningful interactions that provide feedback,
enhance engagement, or delight users (e.g., button animations, loading indicators).
4. Tone of Voice: Language used in error messages, tips, or notifications that aligns
with the product’s personality—whether humorous, friendly, or formal.
Example: Slack’s Expressive Interface
 Visual Design: Fun, colorful design reflecting a friendly workspace.
 Animations: Small animated reactions (e.g., bouncing emojis) add playfulness.
 Micro-Interactions: Engaging input suggestions and feedback sounds.
 Tone of Voice: Humorous, light-hearted error messages and notifications.
Why It Matters:
 Emotional Engagement: Builds a deeper connection with users.
 Branding: Reinforces the brand’s personality and identity.
 Delight: Small surprises enhance user enjoyment.
 User Confidence: Positive feedback boosts satisfaction and confidence.

(d) Explain Cognition with one example of Memory aspect. (5 marks)

Ans-
Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring and understanding
knowledge, such as thinking, remembering, learning, & problem-solving. In context
of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), understanding cognition is essential for
designing user-friendly interfaces that align with users' mental models & capabilities.
Memory as a Cognitive Aspect:
Memory plays a key role in user interaction. It involves storing and retrieving
information. There are mainly three types of memory relevant to interaction design:
1. Sensory memory: Captures brief impressions of sensory information.
2. Short-term memory (STM): Holds limited information temporarily (about 7±2
items).
3. Long-term memory (LTM): Stores information more permanently for future
retrieval.
Example (Memory Aspect):
When a user logs into an application that requires a password, they rely on their short-
term memory to recall and enter the password correctly. If the password is complex or
frequently changed, users might forget it easily, leading to frustration. To support
memory, designers often implement features such as:
 "Remember Me" checkboxes
 Password autofill options
 Visual hints or recovery questions
These features help reduce the cognitive load on memory, making the system more
user-friendly and efficient.

(e) What is user interaction design, and why is it important? (5 marks)

Ans-
What is User Interaction Design?
User Interaction Design (UI Design) refers to the process of designing how users
interact with a digital product (e.g., websites, apps). This includes the layout,
navigation, buttons, feedback, and overall flow of the interface.
Key Elements of User Interaction Design:
1. Visual Design: The aesthetic layout of the interface, including colors, typography,
and iconography.
2. Navigation: How users move through product, including menus, links, & buttons.
3. Interactive Elements: Buttons, sliders, forms, and other components that users
interact with directly.
4. Feedback: How the system communicates the result of user actions, such as
confirmation messages, error states, and visual cues (like a loading spinner).
5. User Flow: The overall path a user follows to complete tasks, ensuring it’s smooth,
intuitive, and efficient.
Why It’s Important:
 Usability: Makes the product easy to navigate and use, ensuring efficiency and
intuitiveness.
 User Satisfaction: Creates enjoyable, engaging experiences that lead to happier
users.
 Accessibility: Ensures the interface is usable by everyone, including people with
disabilities.
 Consistency: Helps users understand and predict how to interact with the product,
reducing learning curves.
 Error Prevention: Guides users and provides helpful feedback to prevent
mistakes and frustration.
 Brand Identity: Reflects the brand’s personality, fostering a connection with
users.
 Engagement: Creates memorable, emotionally engaging experiences that boost
retention and loyalty.

Q2.(a) What is the role of user research in user interaction design? (10 marks)
Ans-
User research plays a crucial role in the process of designing user interactions by
providing insights into the needs, behaviors, preferences, and pain points of the users.
Role of user research in user interaction design:
1. Understanding User Needs and Goals:
 User research helps identify what users need and want from a product or service,
and how they typically achieve their goals.
 It allows designers to understand the user's context, motivations, and pain points.
2. Guiding Design Decisions:
 User research findings inform design decisions, such as which features to include,
how to organize information, and what design elements to use.
 It helps designers make informed choices based on real user data rather than
assumptions.
3. Identifying Design Problems and Opportunities:
 User research can uncover usability issues, areas of confusion, or interactions that
don't align with user expectations.
 It can also reveal opportunities for improving the user experience or adding new
features.
4. Enhancing Usability and User Experience:
 By understanding user behaviors and preferences, designers can create products
that are easy to use, intuitive, and engaging.
 User research helps to ensure that the design meets user needs and goals, leading
to a more positive user experience.
5. Iterating and Refining Designs:
 User research is an iterative process, meaning that designers can use feedback
from users to refine and improve their designs over time.
 This iterative approach allows for continuous improvement and ensures that the
final product meets user needs as closely as possible.

Q2.(b) What is the role of prototyping in user interaction design? Explain

wireframe with example. (10 marks)
Ans-
Prototyping:
Prototyping, particularly through low-fidelity wireframes, is crucial in user interaction
design as it allows designers to visualize, test, and refine their ideas before
committing to full-fledged development.
Role of Prototyping:
1. Testing and Refinement:
Prototyping enables designers to test user interactions, navigation flows, and interface
elements in a dynamic environment.
2. Early Validation:
It helps confirm whether design concepts align with user needs and expectations
before coding.
3. Facilitating Communication:
Prototypes, including wireframes, provide a tangible representation of the product,
making it easier to explain ideas to stakeholders and users.
4. Reducing Risks:
Identifying and addressing issues early in the design process through prototyping
minimizes costs and time associated with fixing problems later in development.
5. Encouraging Iteration:
Prototypes allow for rapid experimentation and iteration, fostering innovation and
creative problem-solving.
Wireframe:
A wireframe is a low-fidelity, visual representation of a digital product's structure,
focusing on layout and functionality rather than visual design elements like color and
images. It's essentially a skeletal blueprint that shows how elements relate to each
other and how the product is organized.
Key Characteristics of Wireframes:
1. Simplicity: Wireframes are deliberately basic and minimalistic, focusing purely on
layout and functionality.
2. Clarity: They help identify where key elements should be placed, such as
navigation, content areas, buttons, and forms.
3. Functionality Over Aesthetics: Wireframe is typically black & white, often using
simple shapes (rectangles, circles) to represent buttons, images, and other components.
4. User Flow: They help visualize the sequence of user actions, showing how users
will navigate through the interface and interact with various elements.
Wireframe Example:
Imagine designing mobile shopping app product listing page.Wireframe would show:
 The overall structure: The header (e.g., with a search bar), the main content area
(for product listings), and the navigation bar (e.g., for categories, cart, profile).
 Individual page elements: Boxes for product images, titles, prices, and "Add to
Cart" buttons.
 Navigation paths: How users might navigate from the main screen to the product
listing page, then to the product detail page.

Q3.(a) Explain principles that support usability. (10 marks)

Ans-
Usability principles are design guidelines that help create user-friendly interfaces,
ensuring that digital products are easy to use, efficient, and enjoyable.
Below is an elaboration of the 11 key usability principles along with examples:
1. User Control and Freedom
The interface should allow users to feel in control and offer freedom to reverse actions
if needed. Users should always know their position within a process or website.
Examples:
 Let users decide when to advance to the next page (e.g., no automatic redirects).
 Show “recently viewed” items or provide quick links for frequent actions.
2. Recognition vs. Recall
Minimize the user's memory load by presenting information in a way that is easy to
recognize rather than relying on them to recall it.
Examples:
 Auto-fill features (e.g., Chrome autofills forms with known contact info).
 Show already submitted data when users are asked to confirm details (e.g., in a
multi-page form).
3. Mental Model
The system should match users’ mental models or their understanding of how the real
world works, making it intuitive and easy to use.
Examples:
 When looking for rooms across multiple buildings, group rooms by building
rather than alphabetically, reflecting how users think about physical locations.
4. Clarity
The interface should communicate as clearly and efficiently as possible. All text,
icons, labels, and menus should be easy to understand.
Examples:
 Use clear and concise text for links, labels, and menu items to avoid confusion.
 Ensure that icons and images are self-explanatory and easy to compare.
5. Simplicity & Aesthetic Integrity
Keep the design simple and attractive. Avoid unnecessary elements that distract from
the main task.
Examples:
 Remove excessive styles, graphics, or functionality that may complicate the page.
 Ensure that interface elements support user focus without distracting them from
their tasks.
6. Accuracy
The interface should be free of errors and provide correct, reliable information.
Examples:
 Ensure that labels, titles, and messages are free of typos or misleading content.
 Ensure that backend calculations are correct and that the displayed data is
accurate.
7. Error Handling & Prevention
The system should prevent errors and provide clear, helpful error messages when they
occur.
Examples:
 Validate form fields to prevent common user errors (e.g., incorrect email format).
 Offer plain-language error messages that help users understand & correct mistake.
8. Consistency & Predictability
Maintain consistency across the system so users can predict how the interface will
behave.
Examples:
 Keep the placement of navigation items (e.g., logo in the top left, search bar in
the top right) consistent across pages.
 Ensure buttons and labels clearly describe the action they will perform (e.g.,
“Submit form” instead of just “Go!”).
9. User Support
Description: The interface should provide accessible help or guidance whenever users
need it.
Examples:
 Provide links to help pages or FAQs within the interface.
 Offer live chat or customer support contact details for further assistance.
10. Feedback
The interface should provide feedback to users about their actions, letting them know
what’s happening in a timely manner.
Examples:
 Display confirmation messages after successful actions (e.g., “Your form has
been submitted”).
 Highlight required fields with a red border and display error messages when they
are incomplete.
11. Accessibility Compliant
Description: The interface should be accessible to people with disabilities, meeting
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.
Examples:
 Ensure all links are accessible and have distinct focus/hover states.
 Allow full keyboard navigation (e.g., tabbing through the interface).
Q3.(b) What is a conceptual model in user interface design, and why is it
important? (10 marks)
Ans-
A conceptual model is a high-level representation of a system, idea, or process that
helps to visualize and communicate how things work. It simplifies and abstracts the
real-world system into understandable components without getting into technical
details. The significance of conceptual models lies in their ability to facilitate
communication, guide decision-making, and provide clarity about complex systems.

Importance of Conceptual Models:

1. Clarifying Complex Systems: Simplifies complex systems by breaking them
down into understandable components, making it easier to grasp the overall structure.
2. Effective Communication: Helps communicate abstract ideas clearly among
stakeholders, even those without technical expertise.
3. Decision-Making & Problem Solving: Provides a structured approach to identify
key components and relationships, aiding in informed decisions and problem-solving.
4. Guidance for Design and Development: Serves as a starting point for designing
or building detailed systems, guiding further development.
5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bridges gaps between different disciplines (e.g.,
engineers, designers, marketers), ensuring a shared understanding of the system.
6. User Understanding and Experience: Helps create intuitive user interfaces by
modeling user interactions and aligning with their expectations.
Example of Conceptual Model: E-commerce Website
Let’s consider an e-commerce website as an example. The conceptual model could
represent the various components that make up the system in a high-level way.
 Users: Different type of users might be represented - customers, admin, users, etc.
 Products: The product catalog, which could be organized into categories, would
be represented as another key component.
 Shopping Cart: This shows the relationship between users and the items they
choose to buy.
 Order Process: A high-level flow from selecting products to checkout, payment,
and order confirmation.

Q4.(a) What are key benefits of conducting task analysis during the design
process? (10 marks)
Ans-
Task analysis is the process of studying how users perform tasks to achieve their goals.
It involves breaking down tasks into steps, understanding user behaviors, identifying
goals, and recognizing potential problems. This technique is essential in user-centered
design.
Key Benefits of Task Analysis:
1. Improves Understanding of User Needs:
It helps designers understand what users are trying to achieve, their expectations, and
the steps they follow, ensuring the design aligns with real-world usage.
Example: Analyzing how students register for courses online can reveal pain points
such as unclear navigation or confusing instructions, helping designers build a better
interface.
2. Reveals Inefficiencies in Current Systems:
By analyzing current workflows, designers can identify bottlenecks, redundancies, or
confusing steps that can be simplified or automated.
Example: In an e-commerce website, understanding the flow from product search to
checkout can guide layout and button placement.
3. Guides Interface and Interaction Design:
Task analysis provides a clear structure for designing interfaces that support the user’s
flow of actions effectively and intuitively.
Example: A task analysis may reveal that users frequently backtrack because critical
options are hidden, prompting a redesign for better visibility.
4. Enhances Usability and Efficiency:
When tasks are well understood, the resulting design can reduce cognitive load,
minimize errors, and improve speed and accuracy in task completion.
5. Supports Scenario Creation and Testing:
It helps in developing realistic user scenarios and personas for usability testing and
validation of the design.
Example: Designers can simulate the process of booking a ticket and test how well
users complete the task using the prototype.
6. Facilitates Communication Among Teams:
Clear task models help stakeholders (designers, developers, and clients) to have a
shared understanding of how the product will be used.
7. Improved Communication Among Stakeholders
The outputs of task analysis (task models, flowcharts, etc.) serve as shared
documentation that improves collaboration between designers, developers, and clients.
8. Foundation for System Requirements
Well-documented task analyses help in defining functional requirements, ensuring
that the final product supports all necessary user actions and goals.
9. Facilitates Accessibility and Inclusiveness
By analyzing a wide range of user tasks and contexts (e.g., different devices, physical
abilities), designers can build solutions that are accessible to a broader audience.
10. Reduces Redesign Costs
Early detection of problems through task analysis reduces the need for major changes
later in the development cycle, saving time and money.

Q4.(b) What are Different techniques for gathering data during the
requirements gathering phase? (10 marks)
Ans-
During the requirements gathering phase, various techniques are used to collect data
from stakeholders & users to define project needs. These include interviews, surveys,
workshops, brainstorming, observation, document analysis, prototyping, and focus
groups.
Here are some commonly used requirement gathering techniques:
1. Interviews: Interviews involve structured conversations with stakeholders to gather
in-depth information and clarify their needs.
2. Surveys: Surveys, or questionnaires, are used to collect data from a larger number
of individuals simultaneously, providing valuable insights into broad stakeholder
opinions.
3. Workshops: Workshops are interactive sessions where stakeholders collaborate to
discuss project requirements, brainstorm ideas, and identify potential solutions.
4. Brainstorming: Brainstorming sessions encourage the free flow of ideas and can
be used to generate a wide range of potential solutions and requirements.
5. Observation: Observing users in their natural environment can provide insights
into how they interact with existing systems and their needs.
6. Document Analysis: Examining existing docs, such as business plans, reports, or
process descriptions, can provide valuable context and information about the project.
7. Prototyping: Creating early versions of the project, known as prototypes, allows
stakeholders to interact with the product and provide feedback on its functionality.
8. Focus Groups: Focus groups involve a small group of stakeholders who engage in
a discussion led by a facilitator to gather insights and opinions.
9. Use Cases and Scenarios: Developing use cases and scenarios to describe how the
system will be used in different situations. This technique helps in understanding the
interactions between users and the system, making it easier to identify and document
functional requirements.
10. Competitive Analysis: Analyzing competitors or similar products to identify
industry standards, best practices, and user expectations. It provides a benchmark for
feature sets and user experience.

Q5.(a) Write a note on 10 heuristics by Nielsen. (10 marks)

Ans-
Nielsen’s Heuristic Evaluation is method used in usability testing to identify potential
usability problems in a user interface (UI) design. It was developed by Jakob Nielsen,
a leading expert in user experience (UX) design. This approach involves evaluating a
product based on established usability principles (called heuristics) to identify areas
where users may face difficulties while interacting with the interface.
Nielsen’s Heuristic Evaluation:
1. Heuristics: Guidelines or principles used to evaluate the usability of a product.
Nielsen defined 10 key usability heuristics to assess interface design.
2. Evaluator's Role: Usability experts (evaluators) review the design based on these
heuristics to identify usability issues.
3. Number of Evaluators: Typically, 3-5 evaluators are used to identify common
issues effectively.
4. Usability Issues: Evaluators find and prioritize problems, suggesting
improvements for better user experience.
5. Quick and Cost-Effective: It’s a fast and inexpensive method for spotting issues
early in the design process.

Nielsen's 10 Usability Heuristics:

1. Visibility of System Status:
The design should always keep users informed about what is going on, through
appropriate feedback within a reasonable amount of time.
2. Match Between System and the Real World:
The design should speak the users' language. Use words, phrases, and concepts
familiar to the user, rather than internal jargon. Follow real-world conventions,
making information appear in a natural and logical order.
3. User Control and Freedom:
Users often perform actions by mistake. They need a clearly marked "emergency exit"
to leave the unwanted action without having to go through an extended process.
4. Consistency and Standards:
Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean
the same thing. Follow platform and industry conventions.
5. Error Prevention:
Good error messages are important, but the best designs carefully prevent problems
from occurring in the first place. Either eliminate error-prone conditions, or check for
them and present users with a confirmation option before they commit to the action.
6. Recognition Rather Than Recall:
Minimize the user's memory load by making elements, actions, and options visible.
The user should not have to remember information from one part of the interface to
another. Information required to use the design (e.g. field labels or menu items)
should be visible or easily retrievable when needed.
7. Flexibility and Efficiency of Use:
Shortcuts — hidden from novice users — may speed up the interaction for the expert
user so that the design can cater to both inexperienced and experienced users. Allow
users to tailor frequent actions.
8. Aesthetic and Minimalist Design:
Interfaces should not contain information that is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every
extra unit of information in an interface competes with the relevant units of
information and diminishes their relative visibility.
9. Help Users Recover from Errors:
Error messages should be expressed in plain language (no error codes), precisely
indicate the problem, and constructively suggest a solution.
10. Help and Documentation:
It’s best if system doesn’t need any additional explanation. However, it is necessary to
provide documentation to help users understand how to complete their tasks.

Q5.(b) What is DECIDE framework? Explain in detail. (10 marks)

Ans-
The DECIDE framework is a structured approach to decision-making, encompassing
six steps: Define the problem, Establish criteria, Consider alternatives, Identify the
best option, Develop a plan, and Evaluate the decision
The DECIDE Framework:
D - Define the Problem: Clearly articulate the issue or opportunity that requires a
decision.
E - Establish Criteria: Determine the key factors and values that will guide the
decision-making process.
C - Consider Alternatives: Explore and evaluate various options or courses of action.
I - Identify the Best Option: Select the most promising alternative based on the
established criteria.
D - Develop a Plan: Create a detailed plan for implementing the chosen option,
including timelines, resources, and responsibilities.
E - Evaluate the Decision: Regularly assess the effectiveness of the chosen option
and make adjustments as needed.
Example: Choosing a New Car
Let's say you and your family are deciding to buy a new car:
D - Define the Problem:
You need a new car to replace your old one, which is unreliable and consumes a lot of
fuel.
E - Establish Criteria:
 Safety: The car must have a high safety rating.
 Fuel Efficiency: The car should have good fuel economy.
 Cost: The total cost (purchase price, insurance, and maintenance) should be
affordable.
 Space: The car should be spacious enough for your family.
 Reliability: The car should have a good reputation for reliability.
C - Consider Alternatives:
Research different car models that meet your criteria, such as a hybrid SUV, a fuel-
efficient sedan, or a compact hatchback.
I - Identify the Best Option:
After researching and comparing the alternatives, you decide that a hybrid SUV is the
best option, as it balances fuel efficiency, space, and safety.
D - Develop a Plan:
 Set a budget: Determine how much you can spend on the car.
 Research dealerships: Find local dealerships that sell the chosen car model.
 Schedule test drives: Take the car for a test drive to ensure it meets your needs.
 Negotiate the price: Negotiate the price with the dealership.
 Arrange financing: Get pre-approved for a loan.
 Purchase the car: Complete the paperwork and take delivery of the car.
E - Evaluate the Decision:
Track the car's fuel consumption, maintenance costs, and overall reliability to ensure
it meets your needs.

Q6.(a) Compare Controlled Setting, Natural Setting and any setting evaluation.
(10 marks)
Ans-
Evaluation methods in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) are conducted in various
settings depending on the research goals. These include controlled settings, natural
settings, and any settings.
Comparison of Controlled Setting, Natural Setting and any setting evaluation:
Controlled Setting Natural Setting
Aspect Any Setting Evaluation
Evaluation Evaluation

Conducted in a lab or Conducted in a real-world Can be conducted in any

Environment usability testing context (e.g., user’s home, location—lab, remote, or
environment office, or public space) hybrid setups

High control over Low control due to real-

Control Over Varies—some control
external factors and life distractions and
Variables can be applied if needed
tasks unpredictability

Tasks may be pre-

Nature of Pre-defined and Naturally occurring tasks
defined or open-ended
Tasks standardized tasks observed as they happen
depending on the context

Might be slightly
Behavior may vary
User artificial due to Authentic and reflective of
depending on the setting
Behavior awareness of actual usage
used
observation

High precision in Rich contextual insights, Balanced approach

Data
tracking metrics like but harder to quantify depending on tools and
Accuracy
task time, errors, clicks accurately method used
 Controlled Setting Natural Setting
Aspect Any Setting Evaluation
Evaluation Evaluation

Used for usability Used for ethnographic Used for remote testing,
Purpose testing, performance studies, contextual flexible data collection
analysis, A/B testing inquiries scenarios

Eye-tracking, screen Field notes, audio/video Online platforms, mobile

Tools Used recording, usability recording, observer recording, surveys, and
software journals remote monitoring tools

- High repeatability - Realistic usage - Flexible

- Easier to compare - Better understanding of - Cost-effective
Advantages
users context - Broader participant
- Clear observations - Natural insights inclusion

- Artificial setting may - Difficult to control - May lack consistency

Limitations influence behavior environment - Limited control or
- Costly setup - Time-consuming observation depth

Conducting a usability
Testing a website’s
Observing farmers using a test via Zoom or
Example navigation flow in a
mobile app in rural areas collecting feedback via
usability lab
online forms

Q6.(b) What care will you take while designing an interface for a deaf person?
Justify your answer with sample design. (10 marks)
Ans-
Designing for users with hearing impairments, especially those who are deaf, requires
a focus on visual clarity, alternative communication methods, and accessibility
features. The goal is to ensure that all auditory information is either removed or
presented in visual or tactile form so that the interface remains usable and inclusive.
Key Considerations While Designing for a Deaf User:
1. Replace Audio with Visual Cues
 Use animations, icons, pop-up messages, or color signals in place of sounds (e.g.,
alerts or notifications).
 Visual alerts can include blinking icons or subtle screen vibrations for emphasis.
2. Provide Subtitles/Captions for Multimedia
 Any videos, audio tutorials, or spoken content must include accurate subtitles or
closed captions.
 Ensure subtitles are synchronized and clearly visible (contrasting color, readable
font size).
3. Text-based Communication
 Use chatbots, message boxes, or SMS/email-based notifications for support.
 Allow users to interact via text instead of voice calls (e.g., live chat support over
call support).
4. Sign Language Integration (if needed)
 If the product is intended for native signers, consider providing sign language
interpreters or avatar-based sign language guides.
5. Avoid Reliance on Sound-Only Cues
 Don’t use only auditory signals like beeps or alarms—add a corresponding visual
or tactile indicator (like a red flashing border or screen vibration for mobile apps).
6. User Customization
 Allow users to customize notification styles, such as flashing alerts, vibrations
(for mobile), and pop-ups.
Sample Interface Design – Appointment Reminder App for Deaf Users

Features:
 Visual alert pops up on screen at reminder time.
 Captions on video consultations.
 Text-based chat with doctors instead of audio calls.
 Tutorial videos with captions and optional sign language avatars.
 User settings to adjust alert style (pop-up, flash, vibration).
Sample Flow:
1. Homepage: Icons for Appointments, Messages, Tutorials.
2. Appointment Page: Upcoming appointments with flashing icon alert.
3. Chat Support: Interactive text-based chat with doctors or support.
4. Settings: Customize visual alert types and text preferences.
Justification:
This design prioritizes visual clarity and text-based interaction, avoiding dependency
on sound. It promotes equal access and usability, helping deaf users complete tasks
effectively and independently, thereby enhancing their overall user experience.