Project One: Deconstruct an Interaction

Click here to download Project One.

---
Project One
Deconstruct an Interaction

OVERVIEW

In teams of about four students, you are to document a common interaction between people and their environment, deconstruct this interaction, and suggest reasoned improvements to the interactive experience.

As discussed in class, there are many possible interactions worthy of deconstruction: be creative and find an interaction that interests you.

The purpose of this project is to employ the techniques and concepts presented in the first three classes, including:

• Mental Models
• Usability Research and Ethnography
• Perception and Cognition
• Establishing Structure
• Maps and Diagramming
• Conveying Information
• Fundamental Principles of Experience Design

OCAD equipment access is limited. You can check out digital still and video cameras overnight from the A/V offices located throughout the school. If you have access to your own equipment, please use it.


BREAKDOWN

1. Brainstorm a minimum of ten interactions, and choose one to deconstruct. Study the interaction through ethnographic observation. You are encouraged to establish as large a sample population as possible, but you must obtain the informed consent of your subjects, using the release form provided. Your participation in the interaction should be limited to shooting stills and video, making observations and taking notes.

2. Review your ethnographic material and uncover the structure of the interaction. Things to consider will vary depending on your chosen interaction, but may include:

• Why is this interaction necessary?
• What are the items of interaction?
• Where and when does the interaction start and finish?
• What are the tasks performed in the interaction? Which ones are critical?
• How does design direct the interaction?
• What are the goals of the people in the interaction? How are those goals met or not met by the system?

3. Make an annotated map or diagram of the structure. Things to present in will vary depending on your chosen interaction; there may be several interlocking maps or diagrams. Some or all of the considerations above are likely to appear in your maps or diagrams.

4. Using your maps or diagrams, along with any less tangible observations and gut feelings, identify opportunities for making the interaction a better experience. With your team, brainstorm alternatives of task, timeline, form, function and appearance that would substantially improve the interactive experience. Present a coherent vision for changes to the system. Feel free to identify both near-term and far-term possibilities for an improved design.

5. Create an electronic presentation that synthesizes your ethnographic observation, your deconstruction, mapping and diagramming of the interactive experience, and your suggested improvements. There is no specific format for the presentation, though PDF, Powerpoint/Keynote and Quicktime are suggested mediums. Your presentation is an experience in itself, and should be clear, creative and compelling.


DELIVERABLES

1. Your electronic presentation, delivered to the class on Wednesday, January 28. You are to speak for no more than 10 minutes, and you are to make use of my computer: come prepared with your presentation burned to a CD or on a USB device.

2. An abridged version of your presentation, posted to the course blog by 08:30 on Wednesday, January 28.


EVALUATION

Quality and Extent of Ethnographic Observation: /6
Use of Course Concepts to Deconstruct the Interaction: /5
Appropriateness of the Suggested Improvements: /3
Clarity and Impact of the Presentation and Posting: /6
TOTAL: /20