Setting An Alarm Clock
We have decided to study the interaction of setting their alarm clock. We concluded as a group that this would be a necessary interaction between one person and an object around them. People use alarm clocks practically every day of their lives, although they are very difficult to set to a desired time. We decided to deconstruct this interaction and seek any possible difficulties associated with the interaction.
Design
The interaction is necessary in order to connect or relate with the environment around an individual. It leads to different actions and reactions. There can be many items of interaction; ours is setting up an alarm clock. Alarm clocks are designed as a clock with a bell or buzzer that can be set to sound at a particular time, as to awaken someone.
Start and Finish
Our research is specified for setting up an alarm clock for 7:30 a.m. The interaction would start when the individual holds the alarm clock, sets the time and then when the person places it back, the interaction ends.
Steps of Interaction
The following tasks are performed during the interaction:1. Hold the alarm clock
2. Turn it around
3. Twist the dials to bring the needles to appropriate positions in order to set it up for 7:30 a.m.
4. Pushing another key or knob left in order to turn it on
5. Set the actual time again and put the clock back
Ethnographic Observations
From the beginning we knew different people have difficulties setting alarm clocks.
The most problematic elements:
-multiple buttons
-unclear labeling of the buttons
-the labels are very small and hard to read
-placement of the buttons in relation to the time display
-speed of time change while using the buttons
-turning the alarm on and off
-the dials are little smaller in size to be twisted easily with the fingers
-the instructions or options on the keys and dials are not clearly visible
-some individuals forget to push the key left in order to turn it on
-the clock had only two options for the alarm on and off, not the snooze
We noticed that everyone had different reactions to each clock; some understood what the buttons did and what the labels meant, while others did not. In some cases, the clock was set instead of the alarm, the alarm was set to PM instead of AM, there were difficulties to figure out HOW to set it, and there is no REVERSE button located on the alarm clocks to go backwards if the intended time was passed. Through our observations we found that 75% of the people we observed did not have trouble setting the alarm clocks, whereas 25% of them did. Our new goal of the interaction is to reduce frustration and increase user productivity and satisfaction.
Alarm Clock Diagrams
These are examples of the alarm clocks we used during our deconstruction and analysis.
Proposal
If the following things are changed in the design it might be more helpful towards the consumers:
-the dials should be at least two fingers in size so that they are easily rotated or twisted
-the instructions and options on the keys and dials must be clearly visible such that of contrasting colours (i.e. if the clock is black the instructions must be in white)
-some people might find it difficult to push the key left or right so there can be a button which can be pressed in, in order to turn it on and off
-the alarm clock should have a snooze button
-on the back of the clock the keys and dials are made along with their purpose shown on them
-on and off options and which way the dials turn should also be mentioned
Our New Design
Our new design for the alarm clock makes the interaction with it much easier. Its clear visibility shows when the clock is working, and its affordances are uncomplicated, distinctly separating the clock time from the alarm time (a main concern during our ethnographic study). These affordances also have very defined physical constraints, such as the slider paths, which only have 2 positions, and the axes use dials to maximize the space. The alarm clock is designed in such a way that each button gives clear and concise feedback; the dials for the alarm point to the number that it is currently set at, the sliders have only two positions that lock into place, and the buttons give resistance when pushed. All of this is mapped on the back of this simple alarm clock, clock time and alarm time evidently separated down the middle, and are set on different displays, eliminating any confusion. The hour and minute dials are also mapped to naturally reflect how they would be read on a clock.
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