Contextual testing of interactive prototypes at the early stages of the design process

<p> </p> <p>Information appliances combine bespoke hardware with custom interfaces. This</p> <p>presents a challenge when prototyping early in the design process, as it can be</p> <p>difficult to combine both the digital and physical elements of the product to create</p> <p>a viable prototype for user testing. Although a number of prototyping kits have</p> <p>been developed that attempt to address this issue, these have previously only be</p> <p>trialled using "laboratory" based approaches. This thesis demonstrates that</p> <p>although laboratory testing can be beneficial, the use of a contextual testing</p> <p>approach provides better information for the early stages of design.</p> <p>The research comprises an extensive user study comparing data gathered using</p> <p>laboratory and in-context testing approaches, supported by a case study of a</p> <p>usability team working within a multinational mobile phone manufacturer. The case</p> <p>study provides grounding for the research, and was used both to set the user study</p> <p>findings in-context and also to inform the user study method design. The thesis</p> <p>concludes by proposing a workflow for contextual testing in the design process, and</p> <p>identifies areas of future development for prototyping toolkits to better support</p> <p>contextual testing.</p> <p>The contribution of this work to knowledge is a clear demonstration that contextual</p> <p>testing can be conducted early in the information appliance design process; and</p> <p>that this approach delivers better design information, particularly in regard to the</p> <p>physical elements of the design.</p>