First up… USER-TESTING
Classes have officially started as of September 6, 2018, and we have already hit the ground running with research, refined visual inspiration, contracts and assignments, sketches and plans.
One of our assignments is to include 3 methods of user-testing our prototype(s). These three possible research methods that I plan, or want, to use for the user-testing of my website prototype will include the following:
A/B Testing: This method of testing will allow me to distinguish which design/layout composition will be best to utilize for the website. Because my topic will target [mainly] parents and children (mostly young boys), it will be interesting to see which ones parents like more versus the ones the children like more. Depending on the results, I can possibly make one that is suitable for both members of the audience.
Think Aloud/Fly on the Wall: These methods I think are pretty similar, but I think both can be combined to allow me to watch how my users navigate the website while they speak about what their thoughts are. Sometimes doing and thinking can be totally different, which will give me insight on how they process their actions versus thoughts.
Participatory Design: I think this can go hand-in-hand with A/B Testing. I think this method will be interesting because it will engage and allow the participant to help me design the website based on what they think is best. We sometimes go through a website, and we may have a thought about things like "Why did they put this here...? Why didn't they put it here instead...?" Having a participant help design the website will eliminate some of these questions and hurdles right off the bat.
Card Sorting (Instructor Recommended): I like this method as well. I saw a video last semester on a card sorting user-testing. Quite interesting and seeing how it was done made complete sense. It allowed interaction with the participant and to see what the next step immediately.