Observe. Question. Design.

Alex Samuel

Major Studio - Sept 4

CVS on Kent Ave

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

L Train at Union Square

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

How can I improve whatthey are doing?

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.

A Day In My Life

What would happen if a French Press could only

be used once?

How can I make the process of wrapping up

my power cord take two only motions?

What could I create that would help me stay dry without needing to be

remembered?

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?

What would happen if the utensils I use to prepare

and eat my food suddenly did not exist?

alex samuelhelloimalex.com

samua407@newschool.edu