10. CONTEXT

The physical context

Placement

The first and most tangible part of the context is the physical placement of the system.

Public areas

A system will be designed for use in a public area.

- major part

A system may be intended for personal use but may occasionally be used in a public space.

– some influence

Other information sources available

Part of the context of an interactive system is the presence of other associated sources of information.

Environment

One obvious influence that the immediate environment exerts upon a system is dirt.

Audio context

A system can influence its use is in the effect of sound.

Sound can also have an impact on the privacy of the user’s interaction.

Visual context

Too dark or too sunny

Colored light

Less obvious are the situations where a system is used in a context where the ambient light source is a colored light.

User ‘baggage’

A part of the physical environment often overlooked is user baggage.

Conventional baggage Casual baggage There are few places to put

baggage

The user’s context

Introduction

Cultural context - The Japanese spreadsheet• The user group context - Different user groups - Users with accessibility requirements - Existing users

- Different levels of expertise

Cultural context

◈ Consideration

• Different work environments

• Culture is so deeply ingrained in us

The Japanese spreadsheet

Many things change when culture switched

Date is different in Japan

A large American burger

There is no exception of cultural context on design

The user group context

Different sorts of users using the system

What should be considered in the design process?

→ As easy and as efficient

Different levels of expertise

Different levels of expertise and styles of use

→ The keen photographer → The musician → The Adobe Photoshop whizz → The secretary

Different user group

All sorts of different user groups characterized

Online system for the publishing of scientific journals 1

→ author, editorial board, librarian,

society board, maintenance staff, marketing people, and so on.

Users with accessibility requirements

Users with hearing or vision difficulties

Designer’s responsibility

It makes good economic sense

Existing users

When redesign, that keep in mind

‘cognitive lock-in’

→ layout of supermarket

Other Contexts

… also important

… less relevant

… deserve a mention

Other contexts

TechnologicalcontextTechnologicalcontext

Web(especially)Web(especially)Web(especially)

Cross-platformsoftwareCross-platformsoftware

A vitalIssue ofcontext

A vitalIssue ofcontext

Cross-platformsoftwareCross-platformsoftware

Vital issue - The technological context

CD-ROM&Other media carriers

The technological context

PCPC AppleApple

ScreensizesScreensizes

ScreenresolutionScreenresolution

Support for soundSupport for sound

Speed ofthe internet connection

Speed ofthe internet connectionSpeed of

the cd-rom drive

Speed ofthe cd-rom drive

Speed ofthe computer itself

Speed ofthe computer itself

etc.etc.

Great variety in the actual hardware

GreatvarietyGreatvariety

Great variety in the actual hardware

This Hardware impact becomes even This Hardware impact becomes even greater as…greater as…

Introduction of games consoles

Ability tostandardize

All thedifferent variations

Introduction of games consoles

game designers didn’t have to take all …

Sell SurplusSell SurplusFocus:

Simple Trade EraSimple Trade EraExperience of the interactionExperience of the interactionSuite of programsSuite of programs affect:

On the software front

Focus:PDF FilesPDF FilesTTTT To view:

Beat CompetitionBeat CompetitionFocus:

Sales EraSales EraDigital video clipsDigital video clips

To view:

OR

MicrosoftInternet ExplorerMicrosoftInternet Explorer

• VBScript

• ActiveX

• <marquee>

• Features

• etc.

NetscapeCommunicatorNetscapeCommunicator

• JavaScript

• Plug-in

• <blink>

• Features

• etc.

The question of which web browser

Increasing number of standards

More pressure to make obligatory

Increasing number of standards

Voluntary at the momentVoluntary at the moment

Standards

Can be useful for justifying a design to clients

A tool for designing

Standards

The Designer should be aware of them…Standard

Standards

“This is the best way of designing it” “Well, couldn’t we do it this way..”

© 2005 :: http://wave.or.kr

“This way conforms to ISO 8763” “OK!”

ClientsYOU

Becoming more important is accessibilityBecoming more important is accessibilityUse of new media systems by users with disabilitiesUse of new media systems by users with disabilities

Legislation for disabled users..Legislation for disabled users..Legislation for disabled users..Legislation for disabled users..

…Against online informationproviders regardingaccessibility of information

…Against online informationproviders regardingaccessibility of information

Standards - Becoming more important is accessibility