LP 4- Creditability

Q1) The author of this week’s article (Fogg) discussed credibility as a key attribute to evaluate online resources. In your own words, describe why it is important that we evaluate credibility of websites. In your discussion, provide an example of how credibility of the Web resources could affect you as a student (200 – 250 words). 

It’s important to evaluate online creditability as it’s easier for people to make up stuff and publish it online with a creditable certification. On some site you can not only forage certifications but sometimes you’re not even asked about your educational background.

Wikipedia, a site that is widely used by kids in secondary school, can be edited by ordinary people. You can edit a person’s Wikipedia and make a whole lot of rubbish up and someone on the receiving end won’t have a clue, hence the “Wikipedia is NOT accepted” in the additional information for this question.

At an academic level it’s embedded in our minds to check and double check references and people who publish information as well as have primary and secondary source of information. ‘Without creditability, sites are not like to persuade users to change their attitude or behaviour,’ (Fogg, 2003)

Web creditability also being a representation of by the appearance. The type of theme, font, videos, images and the quality of images and videos determines whether or not someone is to even continue on with your webpage.

We’re now in a day and age where everyone can access the internet that cross checking authors of information is crucial for having the right information, especially now being at a university level.

Reference list

Fogg, B. J. (2003). Credibility and the World Wide Web. In Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do (pp. 147-181). Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.

 

Q2) In the learning portfolio, Wikipedia is not accepted as a credible resource for academic assignments. What do you think is the reason Wikipedia is not accepted (200 – 250 words)?

Wikipedia is not an accepted resource as the information distributed onto Wikipedia is eligible for editing by anyone, anonymous editing can be done, and there’s no need for certification of your knowledge about the topic at hand, despite being a brand out of an encyclopaedia.

Wikipedia is not an acceptable resource for academic assignments as most of the information displayed on the website, can be ineligible for creditability.

Wikipedia is an online resource that’s meant to act like an online encyclopaedia. It’s meant to give correct information and be a reliable source of information. However over time Wikipedia has become known as one of the worst information sites.

Anyone who can access the internet is able to write and/or rewrite information on Wikipedia. There is no checking of people’s certification, and people can even anonymously sent in information. As students, who should ne cross checking authors of information, there’s sometimes no tracing who the author is on Wikipedia.  As well as the fact that anyone can make up certifications.

Wikipedia is a very dangerous place to be searching or accurate information, and that’s why many academic institutes strictly recommend for their students NOT to source Wikipedia. Especially if you’re trying to research some teeny bopper band, no doubt their girl crazy fan-base has put in their own names as current and/or former girlfriends.

Q3)In dot points, in your own words, list anticipated issues that may affect the users’ perceived Web credibility in future (200 words).

–          Security issues with password and emails: having viruses sent through emails & hacking

–          Sites spamming you with advertisement and pop up ads

–          Overuse of ads and pop ups

–          Cluttering on the website that makes it confusing where about on the website you are

–          Information cluster; information overload and irrelevant information

–          Unclear whose behind the website; massive loss of creditability here

–          Unclear whose behind the organisation; massive loss of creditability here

–          Spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes lacks professionalism and lacks creditability

–          Physical appearance

–          Misleading advertising information

–          Subscription to sites either by email or credit card

–          Website and company names don’t match

–          Not regularly updated

–          Orphan links (Error 404)

–          Missing images

–          Hard to navigate around

–          Commercial purpose

–          Hard to differentiate between the websites content and ads

 

Activity) Find a website for each type of credibility (i.e. presumed, reputed, surface, and earned) and upload snapshots of the websites on your blog site. Provide a brief explanation why the websites are credible.

Presumed is based on the users mind and generally any sites that have .edu are presumed creditability because it’s a website from an educational facility and/or institution.

http://www.ecu.edu.au/

Earned sites are those that overtime have continued to be accurate and again this is based off the users themselves.

http://ninemsn.com.au/

Reputed creditability is established by awards that the site has won. Credited by webbyawards.com

http://www.glamour.com/beauty

Surface sites are kind of like first impressions of the site, like presumed but with the sites appearance rather than its URL.

http://ask.com/

LP3- Performance Load

Q1) In your own words, write a summary of the article and provide critical analysis/discussion on the topic of the article (150 – 200 words).

Performance load is can be defined as “a degree of mental and physical activity required to achieve a goal,” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010). The mental activity is cognitive and the physical activity is kinematic.

When performance load is high it means that, there’s a higher chance to have errors occur and the performance time also takes more time. Your chances of effectively completing a task decreases. (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010)

Therefore its opposite when a performance load is low, the time and errors are lowers as your chances of completing task improves. (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010)

Cognitive load is can be defined as ‘the mental burden that performing a task imposes on the cognitive system..’ (Antonenko , 2007)

Within cognitive load, there are three kinds: Intrinsic Cognitive Load, Extraneous cognitive load, and Germane Cognitive Load. (Usability: cognitive load, 2010)

As well as a renowned rule that allows us to handle seven plus or minus two pieces of information at one time, this is called the magic number 7. “We can improve the usability of our products by taking this in to account and reducing the cognitive load for our users.” (Usability: cognitive load, 2010)

Kinematic load is using physical labour to finish a task. Lidwell, Holden, & Butler use the telegram as an example and explained that it “required people to communicate letters on at a time through a series of taps on a mechanical armature,” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010).

Reference List
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2010). Universal Principles of Design, United States: Rockport Publishers Inc.
Usability: cognitive load. (2010). Available from
http://usabilityfriction.com/2010/11/22/cognitive-load/
Antonenko,PD. (2007) The Effect of Leads on Cognitive Load and Learning in a Conceptually Rich Hypertext Environment

 

Q2)The authors mentioned a design technique of “chunking” information to reduce cognitive load. Define and describe the chunking technique in relation to design and visual communication

Chunking as Lidwell, Holden & Butler explained is a “technique of combing units of information into limited number of units or chunks, so that the information is easier to process and remember.” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2003). Chunking actually is an element of information in short term memory. Chunking can also be describes in terms of memorizing; by separating different individual elements into big blocks, information becomes easier to remember. (Psychology: chunking, 2012). The example that (Psychology: chunking, 2012) uses was numbers, sequence of 4-7-1-1-3-2-4 would be chunked into 471-1324.

Chunking relates to design and visual communication as the whole chunking technique is most designers purpose: trying to fit as much information in as possible, while still looking visually appealing and also making sure that audiences remember the information you put out. The chunking technique “seeks to accommodate short term memory limits by formatting information into a small number of units,” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2003).

This means that individual’s short term memory is negatively affecting the mind, and making them forget how to finish tasks. The brain becomes lazy, and aren’t able to be challenged with new designs and tasks. Their workload becomes boring and tedious. Chunking seems like it’s beneficial in short term, however with long term there’s a lot of costs.

Reference List
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2010). Universal Principles of Design, United States: Rockport Publishers Inc.
Psychology: chunking. (2012). Available from
http://psychology.about.com/od/cindex/g/chunking.htm

 

Q3)The authors borrowed ideas traditionally studied by the psychology to discuss effective visual design. Why do you think a study of psychology is necessary (or not necessary) in design (100 – 150 words)?

Psychology is important in reference to design because behind every design is a message and a meaning, no designer creates anything without some kind of symbolism. Therefore it’s not only important to know think about psychology and the workings of the human brain but also to test your audience.
“Design is in everything we make, but it’s also between those things. It’s a mix of craft, science, storytelling, propaganda, and philosophy” ( 1stwebdesigner: quote, 2012)

Also in relation to the message, are the principles that help emphasis the message such as hierarchy. How did artists know that hierarchy determines the path the viewer’s eye takes without know about Psychology.

Reference List
1stwebdesigner: quote. (2012). Retrieved 3rd June http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/inspiration/designer-quotes-mindsets-inspiration/

Activity) Provide 3 visual examples of products or artefacts (found in everyday surroundings) that satisfy the design principle of Performance load. Upload them on your blog site with a brief explanation why the products satisfied the design principle.

ITunes menu is a type of cognitive load as its categorises the different forms of media that iTunes offer; music, movie, TV shows, podcasts, books, apps, tones, and radio. The makes it easier on users to guide themselves through iTunes and no has to stretch their memory too broad. Users also can customise how they view their music, which makes it more personal per user. Also playlists are available, more customisation. ITunes really does allow the users to personalise the program so that the user’s now their way around and that they’ve created their own memory placement cues.

(Downloadatoz: itunes snap shot, 2012)

Credit Card

Credit cards also uses cognitive load, with the number display; using “chunking” 16 digits, that could of easily been written together, is separated into four units of four digits. This makes things easier for users who need to read the digits out for payments. The numbers look clearer.

(84card: Credit Card, 2012)

Remote keys
Remote Keys decrease kinematic load as it reduces the physical labor of locking every car door. With a simple press of a button, people can lock and unlock their cars from great distances.

(Sxc: Car Keys,2009)

Reference List
Downloadatoz: itunes snap shot. (2012).Available from
http://www.downloadatoz.com/resources/200910/pic/1255338985.jpg
84card:Credit Car.(2012). Available from
http://www.84card.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/0236170062549_6.jpg
Sxc: Car Keys [photograph]. (2009). Available from
http://www.sxc.hu/pic/m/m/mi/mikecco/616444_car_keys.jpg

LP2- Consistency

Q1) In your own words, write a summary of the article and provide critical analysis/discussion on the topic of the article (300 – 350 words). In doing so, you need to satisfy the following requirements:

Consistency according to dictionary.com is “steadfast adherence to the same principles, course, form…” In terms of design it’s similar, you need consistency so that audiences understand the process: “Principle of consistency systems are more usable and learnable when similar parts are expressed in similar ways,” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010).

Universal Principles of Design explains that having consistency allows people to use their prior understanding with websites, and subjects. Consistency enables users to concentrate on the task at hand. The extract explains that there are four kinds of consistency: aesthetic, functional, internal and external.

Aesthetic consistency ‘refers to style and appearance’ (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010). Aesthetic consistency also has to be visual in pictures that are used, (DiMarco,2010)

Functional consistency is important in web design; it affects the location of navigation keys, “Creates implied meaning for uses so they can be transparently guided by hierarchy,” (DiMarco,2010)

Internal consistency is described as the relationship between other elements within a design. External consistency is defined as consistency with other components in different settings,(Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010).

Although consistency seems logical, to some people it seems silly and problematic, ‘The problem with thinking in terms of consistency is that those thoughts focus purely on the design and the user can get lost. “Is what I’m designing consistent with other things we’ve designed (or others have designed)?”… the designers who spend more time thinking about the users are the ones that end up with more usable designs ’(uie: consistency,2012)

However consistency is a principle that many designers swear by, it saves time, learning processes, and generally is used to make it easier for the users. Universal usability notes that consistency assists users, they are then able to freely use different devices, websites, and technology no matter what brand, because there’s a continuous understanding of how it works. (Universal usability, 2006)

“Consistent design of light switches, shovels, books, envelopes, potato peelers, elevators, doors, and so on, makes it possible for these items to be used without deliberation.” (Universal usability, 2006)

Reference List
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2010). Universal Principles of Design, United States: Rockport Publishers Inc.
DiMarco, J. (2010). Digital Design for Print and Web: An Introduction to Theory, Principles, and Technique. United States: Wiley
uie: consistency. (2012). Available from
http://www.uie.com/brainsparks/2005/09/15/consistency-in-design-is-the-wrong-approach/
Universal usability. (2006). Available from
http://universalusability.com/access_by_design/page_layout/consistent.html

Q2) Study 3 examples (e.g. products found in everyday surroundings) that meet the principle of consistency. Provide a reasoned explanation for each example why they meet the design principle (300 – 350 words).

A major consistency example I can think of that many people have seen is traffic lights. Being a functional consistency is “meaning and action… improves usability and learn ability by enabling people to leverage existing knowledge about how the design functions,” (Lidwell, Holden, & Bulter, 2010). Across the world traffic lights are consistent of the same design, their symbols mean the same in all countries; red means stop, orange/amber means slow down and green means go. Traffic lights are all designs horizontally, with red at the top, orange/amber in the middle and green at the bottom. Therefore meeting the functional consistency design principle of meaning and action along with people knowing how it works.

(image.made-in-china: Traffic Lights, 2012)

The extract from Universal Principles of Design uses the Mercedes Benz as an example of aesthetic consistency. Aesthetic consistency refers to the “style and appearance” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010) and soon enough the logo becomes “associated with quality and prestige, and informs people how they should feel about the vehicle,” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010). Not only is the name now famous, but Mercedes Benz is a well-respected company that is notorious for being the selected car company that the rich and famous turn to. The company logo is one of the most know car logos in the world.  Meeting the design principles of aesthetic consistency,  as the presentation of Mercedes Benz looks just as expensive as it costs, that also connects with the symbolism of owning one of their cars, which also interrelates with the reputation it has.

(Jazbapost: Mercedes Benz, 2009)

External consistency “refers to the consistency with other elements in the environment” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010); the example given is emergency alarms are consistent across different control system rooms. Emergency alarms is a good example of external consistency because  where else is it important to be consistent? Having a continuous meanings of similar buttons here in a WA emergency control room that also is consistent over east, makes it easier.

 (Chalesinspace: control room,2012)

Reference List

Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2010). Universal Principles of Design, United States: Rockport Publishers Inc.
image.made-in-china: Traffic Lights [photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 3rd June 2012 from
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00KvmaySgnijkc/200mm-LED-Traffic-Lights-WS-V200-Y-.jpg
Jazbapots: Mercedesz Benz [photograph].(2009). Retrieved 3rd June 2012 from
http://www.jazbapost.com/cat5/Auto/IMG/Mercedes-Benz%20C-Class_4.jpg
Chalesinspace: control room [photograph]. (2012). Retrieved 3rd June 2012 from
http://www.charlesinspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.welcome&typeid=4A603608-1D09-2FD4-7360506A555B681A

LP1- Aesthetic Usability Effect

Q1) In your own words, write a summary of the article and provide critical analysis/discussion on the topic of the article (300 – 350 words).

Aesthetic usability effect is when users of a product overlook difficulties that it presents due to the appearance, however if users find the product to appear ugly, he or she won’t forgive the product for its faults.  Therefore it’s an essential element for the production of products to appear attractive. The readings also make note that “aesthetic designs look easier to use and have a higher probability of being use whether or not they actually are easier to use.” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010, pg18)

It’s important to always have your product to be consumed by the users in a positive review. As explained on usabilityfriction.com when consumers react positively towards to products it  results in more sales, users tell other friends and again there’s more sale of your product, as well as the highly important factor of consumers ignore  and/or tolerating the products problems. (Usability Friction: aesthetic usability effect, 2008)

There a negative response to the product has the outcome to make the interaction with users uneasy as the unappealing appearance, allows them to point out the flaws in the product. The interaction with the user and product is now a ‘narrow thinking and stifles creativity’ (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010, pg18). Unlike the positive response that results in users neglecting the flaws.

So what does the future hold for designers? Well according to markboulton.co.uk the writer believes that the product of new technology is ‘deep in a period of consolidation’. The writer continues on to say that ‘this period of time is an exciting one for designers. It’s a period when design is the thing that defines, and differentiates, a product.’ (Markboulton: Future Designers, 2012)

Two principles that help with keeping aesthetic usability effect are simplicity and consistency. In relation to simplicity “it is your job as a designer to simplify the complex and lighten the performance load for your users” (Terry, 2008, pg5). Consistency is also important so that audiences don’t get confused and neglect devices, and are ‘turned off’ by them.

To see more explaination of Aesthetic Usuablity Effect CLICK HERE

 
Reference List

Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2010). Universal Principles of Design, United States: Rockport Publishers Inc.
Markboulton: Future Designers. (2012). Available from
http://www.markboulton.co.uk/journal/comments/aesthetic-usability-effect
Usability Friction: aesthetic usability effect. (2008). Available from
http://usabilityfriction.com/2010/03/30/aesthetic-usability-effect/
Terry, JP. (2008). Creating Dynamic Forms With Adobe LiveCycle Designer, United States: Peachpit.
Click here link. (2012). Prezi Video. Available from
http://prezi.com/n6xlip83ivkg/aue/

 

 

Q2) Study 3 examples  that meet the aesthetic-usability effect principle. Provide a reasoned explanation for each item why they meet the design principle.

Apple MacBook (laptop)
Apple products are world renowned products, with both simplicity and consistency in all their products. The designs of MacBook’s are modern and achieve everyday necessities; it’s a device that can be used at home, at school and even at work and still have all the programs and utilities that each form needs.  The clean cut look, high quality, light weight, advanced features and great reputation has Mac’s popularity on the rise.  Macs have become so popular that people are actually starting to buy Mac’s, which can cost over $1500, over PC’s. MacBook’s sleek appearance gives audiences reasoning for forgiving the new system that MacBook composes. It takes some time to get use to the new programming, therefore the appearance allows some slack on Apple’s behalf.

 (Notebookcheck: MacBook image 2012)

TiVo Recording System
TiVo TV’s is an American television brand that allows consumers to record, pause and rewind live TV. In a new age and time where people are so distracted with other forms of media, as well as working all the time; TiVo, like MacBook’s are world renowned, their “new bar option for recording convenience and usability, simple navigation through attractive on-screen menus, pleasant and distinct authority feedback” (Lidwell, Holden, & Butler, 2010). TiVo has changed the way people watch TV, as well as inspired other brands to change their approach for television. TiVo change in their brand, has aesthetic usability as their appearance now is more appealing and TV viewers forgive little mistakes due to the sleek menu styling.

(Tivo Communirty: TiVo menu image, 2012)

Nokia Phones
Nokia phones that were used in the reading are an older version of cellular phones, which once had aesthetic usability effect. They were new, fresh and had advanced; Nokia released a phone that “required more than basic communication feature” (Lidwell, Holden, & Bulter, 2010). However Nokia phones are not without faults. The phones have different aesthetic qualities like colour covers and personalised ring tones, these “elements create positive relationships with the user that in turn makes troubles more tolerable” (Lidwell, Holden, & Bulter, 2010).

(White gadget: nokia phone image, 2012)

Reference List
Notebookcheck: MacBook image [photograph]. (2012). Retrieved june 3^rd 2012 from
http://www.notebookcheck.net/uploads/tx_jppageteaser/apple-macbook-air_01.jpg
Lidwell, W., Holden, K., & Butler, J. (2010). Universal Principles of Design, United States: Rockport Publishers Inc.
Tivo Communirty: TiVo menu image [photograph]. (2012). Retrieved june 3^rd 2012 from
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=472675
White gadget: nokia phone image [photograph]. (2012). Retrieved june 3^rd 2012 from
http://www.whitegadget.com/attachments/wallpaper/16548d1223536351-images-new-launch-nokia-mobile-phone-nokia-6300-mobile-phone.jpg