The document summarizes the redesign process of a digital camera's user interface through three phases: 1) Evaluation of the original interface identified areas for improvement like confusing icons and menu organization. Participatory design with paper prototypes gathered user feedback. 2) Ideation led to changes in physical buttons and interface design decisions informed by market research. A 3D printed model was created for further testing. 3) Usability testing of revised flows and models identified minor issues that were addressed. The final flows and task solutions demonstrated improved usability.

1. Evaluation & Design
of a digital camera
Table of Contents
Phase One
Heuristics 8
Flows 10
Scenario & Market 16
People 18
Paper Prototyping 20
Participatory Design 22
Opportunities 24
Phase Two
Observational Research 26
Design Decisions 28
3D Modeling 30
Phase Three
Usability Testing 34
Ideation 36
Task Solution 38
Sarah Adams | IACT 315 | Fall 09 | Prof. Malouf

2. Phase One
Evaluating the camera and discovering
opportunities for improvement.
When I first evaluated the
camera, I walked it through
some simple steps looking for
errors or confusion. While
exploring its interface, I looked
for task flows that I would later
use in testing.
Heuristic Evaluation
Examining the interface of the camera, and
comparing it to a set of standards.
Imediately I saw the confusion of having the
same button work for both the smile feature
and deletion. The smile shutter was prominently
advertised on the camera packaging as well, so
I knew this was going to be one of the flows I
tested.
Trimming was also a confusing task, as the icons
were vague. When trying to crop an item, the
Menu button served two purposes. It served as
the “next” button, and “return”. When used to
try and leave the next step, it would just toggle
between the two screens without any clear way
of escaping.
The Menu button was also inappropriately used
when trying to delete multiple photos. To delete
the photos, it was required to use Menu, when
the trash-can button would have been a more
obvious one.

3. Flows to Examine
Choosing tasks that will explore the camera’s
interface and provide valuable feed-back during
the usability testing.
Flow 1: Taking a Photo Flow 2: Deleting Multiple Images
10M 10M 101 10M 101 112/112
10M 101 390 101 112/112 112/112
Delete
OK
3:21 PM EXIT
101-0123 OCT 25 2009
BACK/NEXT VOLUME SELECT MENU TO NEXT MENU RETURN
Delete 10M 101 10M 101
112/112 112/112
This image
Delete the image
101-0123 OCT 25 2009 3:21 PM
40 F3.1 BACK/NEXT VOLUME
SELECT MENU TO NEXT
10M 101 390
Delete 10M 101 112/112
Multiple Images
Processing...
Delelete multiple selected
images
SELECT MENU TO NEXT
This first flow is the
simplest, and was
chosen as an easy
10M 101 112/112 10M 101 112/112
intro to the camera.
Delete
OK
EXIT
SELECT MENU TO NEXT MENU RETURN
The second flow was a bit more
complicated, involving more
flows. The two actions performed
here are reviewing and deleting.
These are very common actions,
especially if the user keeps most
of their photos on the camera. If
the camera is used to catalogue
inspiration, it may also be used
to store the photos.

4. Flows to Examine Flow 4: Trimming a Photo
10M 101 112/112 VGA
x 1.6
101-0123 OCT 25 2009 3:21 PM
BACK/NEXT VOLUME MOVE MENU TO NEXT
Flow 3: Using Smile Shutter Slideshow
VGA
Slideshow x 1.6
10M 101 390
Image Size VGA
OK
EXIT
MENU RETURN
DPOF
40 F3.1
VGA
x 1.6
Retouch
Trimming
Image Size VGA
OK
EXIT
MENU RETURN
DPOF
40 F3.1
10M 101 112/112
VGA
10M 101 390
x 10
101-0123 OCT 25 2009 3:21 PM
Detecting Smile
MOVE TO NEXT BACK/NEXT VOLUME
Press smile button to exit
The final flow was the most complicated. It
involved trimming a photo on the camera. To be
The third flow was meant to examine one of able to do this, the user must explore the Menu
the features advertised by the camera. “Smile system.
shutter” technology allows the camera to detect
person’s smiles and then automatically take To trim a photo, the user had to select the photo,
the photo. It is a very simple process, but is not go to the Menu options, and the begin cropping.
imediately recognized for what it does. Besides The term “trimming” seems to be less commonly
this, there is a meter that seems to arbiturally used than the word “cropping”, also the use of
judge smiles. Its purpose is not made clear. the Menu button is confusing. For one window,
Menu means “next”, but when you get to this
next window, it means “return”. If you are trying
to exit this second window, you end up toggling
back-and-forth between the two.
Cropping is traditionally done on the computer,
allowing it to be done on the camera may save
the user’s time. They are instantly able to edit a
photo after taking it.

5. Scenario & Market It is important to understand
the target audience and market use of the the camera’s use. This isn’t a
camera proffessional’s camera, and it
shouldn’t be treated as such. It is
a small camera easily carried on
the go.
Because of its portability, this
camera is perfect for capturing Creative persons, who actively
inspiration or observations on record their daily observations,
the various tiny things that occur are the ideal audience for this
through out a day. From this, we camera. This small camera
can understand that the interface could aide them in recording
must also be just as quick & simple and storing the things of
as the camera’s exterior. interest in their life.
For consistencies sake, all four
were read the same script and
led through the tasks in the
same order. They were video
recorded, so that analysis
could be made later.
Camera Testers
People were asked to run-through a quick
evaluation of the four tasks on a paper
prototype of the camera.
In total there were four
participants,all of them kept a
sketchbook to record inspiration.
The first was an Industrial design
major, and the scond was a
double major in industrial and
jewlery design. The last two were
roommates, one was a fibers
major and the other a sequential
major.

6. Paper Prototyping
A paper, modular model of the camera interface
and flows.
A view of the top and back was printed
out and fastened to foam core, giving it
durability. Push pins worked as buttons,
being more physical than just paper. The
screens were printed out individually and
slid underneath the back view. The lens
was also capable of pulling out, showing
that the camera was “on”.
By being made out of paper,
the model had the affor-
dance to draw and alter
it by both the tester and Participatory Design*
researcher. This process allows for testers to give feedback
and participate in the design process.
Users were asked to use their pen as much
as possible to explain their ideas or confu-
sion. Some drew icons that they though
would be more recognieable, or showed
where a bterr placement of a button should
be.
* See video for significant clips & findings of the
testing

7. Opportunities
Conclusions drawn after evaluating the camera
through heuristics and participatory design.
For the most part, this digital camera
is easy to use, with few menus to
confuse. The problems encountered were
terminology, icons, and the grouping
of information on the menu. Instead of
completely changing the interface, a
better and more cost-effective change
would be to improve on the existing one.

8. Phase Two
Ideation of form, and the time for final decisions
When I talked to a casual user, one who had just
gotten his camera, he shared some interesting
insights. He mostly used his camera on vacations,
where he liked to photograph the scenery or other
things of interest. He preferred a camera that
allowed him to change modes quickly, without
having to go through an interface. He also
preferred something with some small affordance
of a grip.
Observational Research
Going to Best Buy & interviewing casual users,
gave more insight to the re-design
By viewing many cameras out in
the market, I was able to see how
they organized their features and
where they placed their buttons.

9. Design Descisons
The main physical design changes I made were
ON/OFF to the front cover of the camera, the shooting
button, the deletion button and camera mode
SteadyShot DSC-W180 icons.
The modes button I added eliminates the need
W T
for changing modes within the digital menu
completely. This was a decision made directly
from talking to camera users.
MENU
The icons were changed to better reflect what
they were. The film strip was ambiguous, so it
DISP was changed to a filming camera. The triangle
in a box was seen as meaning “start”, and so I
changed it to an icon that appeared more like
a gallery view.
Within the interface, there was reorganizing of
menu options, icon changes, terminology, and
excessive windows.
OLD NEW

10. 3D Model
The 3D model was made from chip
board, because of its light-weight.
It was cut and engraved by a laser-
cutting machine. The sides taper out in
imitation of the original camera. The
inset of the screen allowed for small
paper screens to be set in place.

11. Phase Three
discovering final solutions
The user was given the 3D model to hold,
and interact with, while the camera screens
were on the computer. The only confusion on
the physical model was the repetition of the
flower icon. Within the interface, there was
only confusion on the newly added task. This
task was to change a transition setting and
view a slideshow on the camera. From this, I
eliminated an unnessary pop-up screen and
the extra flower icon. Usability Testing
Using the research gathered previously, the re-
designed flows and physical models were tested.

12. Final Flows*
The final task flows designed
Flow One Flow Two
Switching a mode & taking a photo Deleting multiple photos at once
Delete
OK
EXIT
111/11 2
112/112 OC T 30 200 9 08:45 112/ 11 2 OC T 30 200 9 08:45
MENU RETURN
NEXT BACK SELECT DELETE
Deletion Options
DELETED
Individual
112/ 11 2 OC T 30 200 9 08:45
112/ 11 2 OC T 30 200 9 08:45
SELECT DELETE
NEXT BACK
10M
Deletion Options
Multiple
112/ 11 2 OC T 30 200 9 08:45
112/ 11 2 OC T 30 200 9 08:45
NEXT BACK
SELECT DELETE
Delete
OK
EXIT
111/11 2
112/ 11 2 OC T 30 200 9 08:45
MENU RETURN
SELECT DELETE
This first task was a very simple The second task is the same as One trashcan was eliminated from
one, meant to show the whole the original one. The flow goesthe menu as it was redundent. Instead
point of a camera - taking a through the deletion of the last
of using the Menu button to continue
photo. two photos at once. deleting a selected picture, the trash-
can icon is used. The Menu button is
Differing from my first flow, this Placement of information such only used for returning. To confirm that
one has the mode change as as date, & photo number have deletion has happened, a brief screen
well. been grouped together. Instead tells you afterwards.
of using a black bar, the same
The biggest difference from gray bar used elsewhere is
the original, is that to switch to used here. The option for
these modes (from landscape volume has been eliminated,
to night) a dial is turned. No and the placement of “next/
longer does the user have to go back” differs in that they are
through the Menu interface. seperated to either end.
*See video for a walkthrough of final solution.

13. Flow Three
Deleting multiple photos at once
112/ 11 2 OC T 30 2009 08:45
NEXT BACK
Slideshow
Star t
Size
This third flow is about editing the size of a photo. The
first change are the icons, they are more universal now
and show better what the action is. Instead of calling
the action “trimming”, which is less commonly used. The
new name is “cropping”, which all the users were more
Editing familiar with. The rotation tool was seperated into its
Cropping
own category. In this new design it has been grouped
Size with the other editing options. Another change to the
screen, is when the option comes to zoom in & crop the
picture. Here, I have put arrows indicating to move as
well as “+” and “-” to indicate zooming in. The trashcan
symbol is used to exit the screen instead of the Menu
button. Finally, a confirmation screen is shown while the
cropping is being placed.
112/ 11 2 OC T 30 2009 08:45
MOVE -+ ZOOM EXIT
Flow Four
Changing options & watching a slideshow
Slideshow
Images All
Effect s Auto
Interval 10 sec
Repeat On
The fourth flow is different. It explores
11 2/11 2 OC T 30 2009 08:4 5
11 2/11 2 OC T 30 2009 08:4 5
NEXT BACK
NEXT BACK MENU START EXIT
the menu of the slide-show option. Simple
icons have changed for clarity. The bars Slidesho w
Slideshow
highlighting the options have also changed Star t
so that they look more seperate from the Size
bottom bar & its options. The Menu button
is now used to start the slideshow & the EXIT PAUSE/CONTINUE
trasch-can icon to exit out of the window.
To indicate that the options on the bars Slideshow
Slideshow
can change, arrows have been added. Images
Effect s
All
Standar d
Instead of a seperate window apearing to Interval 10 sec
On
display options, it is now kept just to the Repeat
bar. Once the slideshow has started, the MENU START EXIT
EXIT PAUSE/CONTINUE
most significant feature is the ability to now
pause what is being seen. Again, instead of Slideshow
Slideshow
using the Menu button, the trash-can icon Images All
Effect s Standar d
has been chosen to exit the screen. Interval 10 sec
Repeat On
MENU START EXIT EXIT PAUSE/CONTINUE

14. Flow Four
Using the smile shutter
The final flow uses the smile shutter
technology. The most significant change
here is the removal of the smile-meter. No
one understood its purposes in the testing,
and it seemed to have no use. Besides its
elimination, another, brief screen has been
added to notify users that the smile shutter
process is beginning.
Ideation
Through sketching, I was able to vixualize my
ideas of the exterior of the camera.

15. Final Model
I added the minor detail of
two different materials to the
front to give the affordance in
grip. The line breaks between
two different materials, with
a slight raise in material. The
aesthetic of a flat, square
camera is still maintained even
with the material partition.
Conclusion
A final digital camera was realized only through
repeated, various research and ideation. Al-
though the changes made to the camera and
the camera’s interface were not drastic, they
improved the design. The brand language of the
camera was not lost through out the process, and
good design was expanded on.
This camera has the potential for quite a few
things. I think its use as an inspiration catalogue
is one of its more interesting functions. It is small
enough to carry around, has a user interface
that allows for quick photo viewing and editing,
and finally it has a stylish appearance.