Observations
No line. Just empty self-check out stations and no one working behind the traditional check-out stations. There are guide-ropes for the traditional check-out stations, but the self-check out stations are just an open space perpendicular to the traditional stations.
Buying a Gatorade
I walk up to the self-checkout station and select English. The machine asks me to swipe my “Extra Care Card” but I didn’t have one. So, I swipe my bottle once. It didn’t work. I repeat the swiping motion twice. I wipe the barcode on my pants then repeat the swiping motion three more times before the machine reads the code. I am now frustrated.
Then, the machine asked me again for my Extra Care Card (which is irritating). I click “Finish & Pay”, a big red button, and then I am asked, once again, to swipe my extra card card (I’m officially annoyed). I select “credit card” and tap my card against the reader. I take my receipt (even though I don’t want one) and walk away as I am prompted to take my receipt.
Graphical User Interface visible icons and visible menus as mechanisms. Strength lies
in ease of remembering actions, both in what actions are possible and how to invoke them.(1)
pressing the buttons on the screen
Gestural User Interfacean interface that uses microprocessors to understand user’s gestures. (2)
swiping bottle, placing in bag, inserting and removing my credit card
1. + 2. Don Norman, “Natural User Interfaces Are Not Natural” - jnd.org
Interfaces Used
within...Gestural User Interface
The motion of placing something in the bag after I swipe itThe motion of tapping credit card to pay
Natural Interfaces Used
1. Better scanning My bottle was a little bit wet and when I pulled it out of the fridge, so I had to swipe the bottle repeatedly before the computer would read it.
2. Only ask about extra care card once I don’t have an extra care card, but it gave me multiple opportunities to swipe it, which I found irritating!
3. More people (a person?) There was no one around when I went in. If I did have a problem, I would have to leave my items to find someone.
Opportunities for Design Intervention
Who is there...+ Students+ White Collar Workers + Blue Collar Workers+ Tourists
What they are doing...+ waiting for the train+ reading books or eReaders+ playing games on phones+ zoning out
User Data/Info Needed
+ Is he using his rollerblades as a mode of transportation?
+ Does he carry his belongings with him when he rollerblades?
+ What does he do with his shoes when he rollerblade?
Potential Improvementcreate a way to carry his
rollerblades or shoes
must be: small enough to fit into the boot of the rollerblade when he is not using it; sturdy but light; comfortable enough to use when walking, running, rollerblading, or standing in crowded spaces.
User Data/Info Needed
+ What is difficult about carrying this bag down stairs (the shape? the weight? the handles?)?
+ Do you use this bag every day or only for travel?
+ If you use it for travel, do you check it or is it carry-on?
Potential Improvementcreate a bag that can be carried
down stairs no matter the weight
must be: small enough to fit into carry-on compartments; extremely l i ght ; easy to ro l l , but a l so comfortable to carry no matter what the weight.
User Data/Info Needed
+ Why doesn’t he currently use an amplifier?
+ What other environments does he play in?
Potential Improvementcreate an amplifier that increases volume when a subway is passing
must be: small enough to fit on a belt or guitar strap; battery-powered and rechargeable; able to switch between subway mode and other modes; affordable; easy to attach to multiple instruments, easily fixed if a part breaks.
How could I combine all my entry passes and keys
into one easy-to-grab object so I don’t have to dig through my bag for a bulky key chain or a pass?