For the second iteration of the paper prototypes we had to do it with our group partner and discuss what improvements could be made on our individual paper prototypes.
For this paper prototype we left the design on several of our pages the same as we both felt and agreed that it was suitable with an aesthetically pleasing and minimalist design.
However for this iteration we took into account factors that we felt where missing from the individual paper prototypes, with some redesigns on certain pages for an overall better user interface and also added page examples for user flexibility and freedom.
News Section – Redesign
Prototype 1 Prototype 2
Network Error Handler Page
404 Not Found Handler Page
Notification Flash Message & Settings
For the sake of interactivity and scenarios, I conducted a full video demonstration of how the application may be navigated by a user on this second paper prototype iteration, I done this only using the paper prototypes as an interactive guide as seen below.
The rest of the application pages where kept the same. To see the other pages that where not changed, please visit the first paper prototype iteration blog.
Evaluation of group paper prototype 2:
For the evaluation of the prototype(s) I will be using the heuristic evaluation methodology.
Visibility of System Status
This iteration of the paper prototype has the same features discussed in the first iteration, however this time it incorporates 404 pages and network error pages to allow the user to understand that an error has occurred and that they must go back to the previous page.
Match Between System & Real World
The added icons and images for this iteration allow the user to get an even better understanding of what is been displayed on the application and makes life easier to navigate. For example the ‘Settings’ page incorporates several icons that match real worlds counterparts as an initiative to make the user comprehend what each setting does, settings pages can be quite tricky at times to navigate, but with the use of the right icons it can make it simplistic for the user.
User Control & Freedom
As discussed in iteration 1, the user has the ability to navigate and scroll wherever they please within the application, with the redesign of the news section page it displays more articles on screen at once which makes scrolling even more free and effective for the user.
Consistency & Standards
With the implementation of the redesigned news section, it makes the design even more consistent as it is similar to the home page section which also incorporates several card layouts with images and text.
Error Prevention
In iteration 1 this was not visible, however in this 2nd iteration we have implemented 404 and network error pages to prevent the user’s mobile device from crashing or performing something unintended.
Recognition Rather Than Recall
For the first iteration the settings widget was an easy to recognize widget however we felt it was too large and therefore changed it to 3 small dots which is also recognized as being a settings or management widget.
Flexibility & Efficiency Of Use
With the added flash message for notifications that prompts the user into accepting or rejecting the push notifications this increases the flexibility and efficiency of use for the application as it gives the user a quick option which they can accept or decline.
Aesthetic & Minimalist Design
Like the first iteration the design has been kept simple and neat, the settings page is broken into three different category for easier readability and understanding, while the error pages also include simple and to the point design. The squashed look of the news section page has been changed to a neat linear layout for easy user navigation.
Recognize, Diagnose & Recover From Errors
When the user runs into a network error page, it is explained to them that it is infact a network error and that they must be connected to the Internet to proceed, this is explain with a small illustration of a fallen-over coffee cup – this illustration alone explains to the user that something has gone wrong.
Help & Documentation
This was not prevalent in the first iteration, however this iteration shows within the ‘Settings’ page the user can contact support via email. This is useful as it allows users to report issues, bugs and/or general queries about the application or the content that is displayed on it.
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