Usability Principles Rating
Severity scale from 0-4
0 - not usability problem
1 - cosmetic problem
2 - minor usability problem
3 - major usability problem
4 - usability catastrophe
Scenario
We evaluated the app based on the task flow of trying to find the weather and pollen forecast over a period of 7 days for someone travelling from Vancouver to Toronto.
Our UI constraints:
Home Screen
Heuristic
Aesthetic and Minimalist Design
Dialogues should not contain information which is irrelevant or rarely needed
Finding
News video content is positioned above weather information & forecast
Rating
2.4
Priority
Low
Improvement
Video content was moved further down the page
Rationale
Hourly forecast was placed higher up the page as this is more relevant to the use of the app and more regularly needed.
Before
After
Home Screen
Heuristic
Visibility of System Status
The system should always keep users informed about what is going on
Finding
Border colours that reflect rating scale is not obvious to user
Rating
1
Priority
Very low
Improvement
Borders on rating scale were widened and a dropdown was added
Rationale
Dropdown arrow to let users know the rating system is interactable to view a more detailed report.
Before
After
Home Screen
Heuristic
Flexibility & Efficiency of Use
Allow users to tailor frequent actions
Finding
Difficult to find where to add a forecast location
Rating
3
Priority
High
Improvement
Added in a ‘+’ icon at the top of the homepage
Rationale
To make it clearer to the user where they can add in a location, to tailor their cities and forecasts.
Before
After
Home Screen 2
Heuristic
Recognition Rather than Recall
Minimize the user’s memory load by making objects, actions and options visible.
Finding
Icons unclear for high/low weather
Rating
1.75
Priority
Low
Improvement
Larger arrows to signify high and low of the day and lighter opacity for low of the day temperature
Rationale
The high arrow was too close to the low and at a glance looked like military time instead of two separate values.
Before
After
Add Location
Heuristic
Flexibility & Efficiency of Use
Allow users to tailor frequent actions
Finding
‘Edit’ and ‘Add Location’ icons are very small and difficult to see
Rating
3
Priority
High
Improvement
Increased the size of ‘Edit’ and ‘Add Location’ bar
Rationale
To make it clearer and easier to use for less experienced users.
Before
After
Air Quality Report
Heuristic
Recognition Rather than Recall
Minimize the user’s memory load by making objects, actions and options visible
Finding
No visible way to exit the pop-up screen. Tapping the Air Quality report button takes user out of the app.
Rating
2.75
Priority
Moderate
Improvement
Added an “X” to exit the pop-up screen.
Included the Air Quality report in the pop-up.
Rationale
The user can read the report in the same pop-up from the home screen AND easily exit out of it.
Before
After
UV Report
Heuristic
User Control and Freedom
Users often choose system functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked "emergency exit" to leave the unwanted state
Finding
Exit is not obvious
Rating
4
Priority
Severe
Improvement
Added a “x” button
Rationale
More pleasant user experience to view everything within one place rather than going back and forth between app and browser. Less time consuming and frustrating.
Before
After
36 Hours Overview
Heuristic
Flexibility & Efficiency of Use
The system should cater to both inexperienced and experienced users
Finding
There is no definition for Evening, Night etc.
Rating
2
Priority
Low
Improvement
Added hourly breakdown for Morn, Aft, Eve, Night
Rationale
User is easily able to identify the time each period of the day begins and ends.
Before
After
36 Hours Detail
Heuristic
Match Between System and Real World
The system should speak the users' language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms.
Finding
The use of confusing abbreviations
Rating
1.75
Priority
Low
Improvement
Changed the term “P.O.P” to chance of rain
Rationale
“Chance of rain” denotes real world language. Information provided should be relevant and direct.
Before
After
36 Hours Detail
Heuristic
Aesthetic and Minimalist Design
Additional information not relevant to the context
Finding
Difficult to find where to add a forecast location
Rating
1.75
Priority
Low
Improvement
Removed the additional icon that also references snowfall
Rationale
The snow icon cause cognitive overload.
Before
After
Selected Works
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Savey (in progress)Future of Fintech | CB Insights
MeetFox Web AppContact me to view
MeetFox WebsiteContact me to view
DewProduct Design
Figo BankBrainStation <> RBC
The Weather NetworkHeuristic Evaluation
Sign UpDay 1
Credit Card CheckoutDay 2
CalculatorDay 4
App IconDay 5
User ProfileDay 6
SettingsDay 7
404Day 8
Music PlayerDay 9
Social ShareDay 10
Flash MessageDay 11
Sales Tracker & LeaderboardUI & Animation
Dew Marketing SiteFront-End
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