Try to conduct one usability test in person and one remotely. But if you are in quarantine, you can conduct both remotely. If you have two reasonable participants that you can sit 4 feet from for 60 minutes, you can conduct both tests in person. Please wear a mask and social distance if you conduct in-person usability tests.
General paper resources:
Things a Therapist Would Say — this is how you solve problems during your actual test
Here’s Steve Krug’s video, showing how he conducts a usability test
Here’s the Excel template that has the assignment tables pre-made. Open it in Excel (don’t just “preview” it), highlight the chart you want, copy it, paste it into your Word document.
Here are the card sort cards, in Excel format, that I handed out in class. Print them out and cut them into individual cards, as I did to the cards I handed out in class.
Here’s the wireframe video I showed.
Here’s the user flow video I showed.
Here is a link to Jakob Neilsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design.
Card sorting and content structure resources:
Card sorting: Your complete guide
How to build a content structure in Excel, 3-minute video.
Here’s an example content structure chart — use for inspiration!
Remote Usability Testing:
For remote usability testing, use either Zoom or Lookback.io, which is software made for remote usability testing.
Whether you use Zoom or Lookback:
- Only conduct a test with one person at a time.
- Be sure the participant has their camera on — it’s important to see their facial expressions and body language.
- Of course, the participant will be sharing their screen.
- Be sure that you record the session so that you can embed a screenshot, if you choose.
You’ll use the same script and procedure wether the usability test is conducted in person or remotely.
Zoom screenshare demo:
The simplest way to conduct a remote usability test is by using Zoom. The key is to ensure your session is set up to allow participants to screen share, and that your tester’s video is on so you can see their facial expressions. You’ll conduct the test the same as if you were in person, according to class instructions and your script.
See this 30-second video that explains how to allow others to share their screens.
Lookback testing demo:
Lookback live is made specifically for remote usability testing. You do not have to enter a credit card for a free 14-day trial. Be sure to use the “live” lookback product so you can moderate the test. And, you need their video on so you can see their facial reactions. Here’s a demo, and there’s also one on their site.
For help deciding which UX improvements you could recommend:
Best sources from this link are UXmovement.com and Baymard Institute; here are a few pre-selected pages, but you should also look through the site for items that match your testing observations:
- Increasing eCommerce Conversion Rates
- Homepage and Category page research and tips
- Important Product Filters
- Global v. Scoped Search
- How to Design Content Filters
For help with best UX practices for search tools, try these sources:
UXdesign.cc — Best practices for search inputs
UXplanet.org — Best Practices for Search Results
Fireart.studio — Search Results Page Design
UXbooth — Best practices for search
Wireframing…
If you have access to Sketch or Balsamiq wireframing software, you can use it for this assignment. Otherwise, you can use any software to simulate your ideas. Here are some online tools for building wireframe layout, each of these has free trial only:
For screenshot demos:
If you want to know more about Usability testing…
If you want to know more about becoming a UX designer…
… check out JacquieLamer.com/so-you-want-to-be-a-ux-professional.
Jacquie Lamer 