Lab 1 : Heuristic Evaluation (Jakob Nielsen)

INTRODUCTION

Heuristic evaluation is about a usability inspection method that used in computer software to recognize usability problems in the user interface (UI) design. It involves its own evaluators that will examining the interface and judging its compliance with recognized usability principles. Usability consultant Jakob Nielsen developed this method on the basis of several years of experience in teaching and consulting about usability engineering.

           
The heuristic evaluation is the most informal methods of usability inspection in term of human  computer interaction. There are many sets of usability design heuristics. Usability problems that found are categorized according to their estimated impact on user performance or acceptance. It is conducted in the context of use cases, to provide feedback to the developers to compatible with the indeed users’ needs and preferences.

           

 For this project, online website called “DELL” is chosen. Dell is the online store that offer user to buy Dell Product such as laptop, network equipment and gaming gear.

1. Visibility of system status

The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within reasonable time.

In this homepage the user will provide with the latest model of the product via the banner that will change picture from time to time. The user also can login to their account to check the order status that has been made.

  2. Match between system and real world

The system should speak the users’ language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.

The shop button shows many product that the product sell for the customer to choose. It simplifies all product into many category that makes the user easy to find their own product.

3. User control and freedom

Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked “emergency exit” to leave the unwanted state without to go through an extended dialogue. Support undo and redo.

4. Consistency and standards

Users should not have to wonder weather different words, situations, or actions mean the same thing. Follow platform conventions

This website uses different background color for certain page but the button and the layout of the website still the same. By doing this it will prevent the user from getting confuse while surfing the website. The color that the website choose is based on their product concept which is for the gaming product page they use the black theme color.

5. Error prevention

Even better than good error messages is a careful design which prevents a problem 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.

In the account login page user can login to view their account status where they can check their warranty status and ordered item. If they forget the password or the email that has been used they can simply click the ‘forgot your password’ button to retrieve the reset password.

6. Recognition rather than recall

Minimize the user’s memory load by making objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate.

By doing icon or logo is the best way for user to know the button navigation. As we can see the picture above, when the user click the trolley icon it will automatically take the user to the order page or product page.

7. Aesthetic and minimalist design

Dialogues should not contain information which is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every extra unit of information in a dialogue competes with the relevant units of information and diminishes their relative visibility.

The button that been use in this website is not too much because it will make the user easy to navigate from page to page. As we can see the button is in white color but when the user hover the cursor to the button it will change from white to blue. By doing this it will make sure the user understand the function of this website button.

CONCLUSION

There are ten general principles for user interface design called ‘heuristics’ which is best for designing for usabilities. In this project the student only use seven from the ‘heuristics evaluation’ that is visibility of system status, match between system and real world, consistency and standards, error prevention, recognition rather than recall and aesthetic and minimalist design.