USER TEST
&
DESIGN
ITERATION

1 Proof of concept2 Navigation message content3 Usability testing

USER TEST PROCESS

We collect the overall feedback from our interviewees for the design iteration.The followings are the testing process and detail.

INTERVIEW

DESCRIBE

the experiEnce of traveling or using smartphone. We’d like to know if our design align with their habits.

PROTOTYPE TEST

USE

BlindNavi to search for address and routing plans. Help us to refine the app structure & design details.

WALKTASK

WALK

from location A to B according to the route plan for us to observe what problem may happen when they’re actually on the road.

SUGGESTION

TELL

us the overall feedback for the design iteration.

20

PARTICIPANTS

There has been 3 rounds of user tests. Each one focused on the different parts of this idea.

ROUND 1

PROOF OF CONCEPT

4 participants.
We want to ensure that the collocation of beacon technology & mobile app is a viable way to navigate for the visually impaireds. From observing how they interact with their smartphones under a walking scenario, we found many insights on how the system can provide adequate feedbacks to improve their sense of secure while walking.

- An ideal distance between each instruction is about 10-15m.
- Pre-alert is necessary before giving any instructions to user. Instead of using sound effect or vibration times, we used the length of a  single vibration to indicate the change of direction.

ROUND 2

NAVIGATION MESSAGE CONTENT

9 participants.
We have gathered solid research on what things best inform walking users, and what is the best sequence to tell them all such information. After this round of testing, we found that each navigation message should contain 3 parts. The direction needed to be taken, the surrounding environment, and the next step necessary in the navigation process.

ROUND 3

APP USABILITY TEST

10 participants.
From this round of testing, we have verified many of our design assumptions. The visually impaireds are users who heavily rely on their old habits. The simplest design is the best for them. So far, we have received many positive feedbacks, and also a very explicit direction for improvements in the future.

BlindNavi is a on-going project, the result of SUS & NPS evaluation will be updated later on.