g3+User+Test+Report

 =Contextualization= Index | Envision | Prototyping | Phase 3: User Testing / Observation Notes | Refined Prototype

Joanna's Notes
Test A
 * //Participant #1//**
 * went to use the search first; (our goal was to test category use here)
 * overall feelings towards the system
 * it was easy to navigate
 * but drag and drop is harder to notice

Test B
 * would search the categories for related artworks first

Test C

General thoughts
 * graphics are appealing
 * compare mode is a good feature
 * good to see things side by side
 * contextualizer is good for looking up background information of the artwork
 * clean and not cluttered
 * timeline informs the viewer
 * easy to use
 * as long as navigation is clear, it doesn't matter if it is on the top or side

Test A Test B
 * //Participant #2//**
 * went to use the search first
 * kind of confused with "saving" image
 * knew dragging after all the options were exhausted
 * barely noticed the compare bar (too integrated)
 * confused with timeline dragging (too many items)
 * the dragging graphic is too subtle
 * comparison mode a bit vague
 * border around comparison mode objects would be better
 * timeline looks too much like a navigation bar
 * can't get people to click the front page
 * not complete pages makes the test a little confusing

Test C
 * categories first, search second
 * toggling the bar is a bit weird
 * thought of signing in for bookmarking
 * nothing to save
 * if tab link is to register, people would click on it to get new account

General thoughts
 * visual design is interesting
 * a little bit too much on the index page with all the random images
 * could be dim on opening and full opacity on rollover
 * the navigation gets lost on the index
 * keyword search is a good thing to have
 * very interactive and unique, never seen anything like it
 * comparison mode is interesting, a good feature to have
 * homepage might be too intense
 * the search area is too subtle
 * the navigation works well on the side, keeps everything together
 * adding a link to enter the artwork on the actual thumbnail on results pages would be nice

Test A
 * //Participant #3//**
 * got drag and drop rather quickly
 * clicked around, seemed to know what they are doing

Test B
 * only person to use the contextualizer keyword links to search for related artworks

Test C
 * got a little confused by the compare mode (most likely due to inconsistency)

General thoughts
 * found it easy to find stuff
 * auto-complete was helpful
 * categories was easy to navigate through
 * good choice of categories
 * drag and drop was hard, compare panel was good but still a bit too hidden to see it
 * the related artists/artwork was good
 * the contextualizer was good to have to give information about the artwork
 * like the site for research, good for inspiration
 * might not be suitable for general browsing
 * it was too static, not updated often enough to want to go back
 * scrolling images on front page would make it more interesting
 * an indicator for dragging would make it easier to use drag and drop

Annmarie's notes
//Test A//
 * //Participant #1//**
 * -didn’t notice the dragging capability right away
 * -finds dragging confusing; had to open and read panel to understand
 * -draggable area mistaken to include timeline label
 * -unable to figure out how to drag timeline

//Test B//
 * -search bar is the first thing she went to
 * -likes the categories laid out because it helps her find things and get a sense of the site; “handy”

//Test C//
 * -likes autocomplete
 * -link to contextualizer also helpful
 * -she found the second task is much easier since she was already familiar with the interface
 * -tried dragging related artists and artworks thumbnails (not as yet draggable)

General thoughts
 * -design better than old site
 * -likes the graphics and interactivity
 * -would use the site for research and its especially good for browsing
 * -easier for students comparing something with the compare mode
 * -keywords and definitions are helpful (contextualizer)
 * -history background of artwork is helpful since, as an art history major, she’s always checking the time periods
 * -didn’t like dragging as much; maybe needs caption for draggable items
 * -more like than don’t like
 * -suggested a ‘more’ link on info in the contextualizer that would lead to the full expansion of the definition (ie. Outline of the major art movement)
 * -compare more of the artworks made during the same time period
 * -artist timeline useful
 * -thinks the side navigation works well with the site; it enforces horizontal movement

//Test A//
 * //Participant #2//**
 * -able to drag and drop image quickly
 * -unable to figure out how to drag the timeline; suggested that it might need a boundry
 * -draggable icon for the timeline too discrete

//Test B//
 * -viewer browsed through site as expected

//Test C//
 * -used right-click and save option to save pictures instead of using interface (test wording problem)
 * - tried bookmarking the site (test wording problem)
 * -suggested you need to sign in to bookmark; “hello guest” on the compare panel is a cue to register for an account; suggested we should link the phrase to the register page
 * -went through test faster since he was familiar with the interface from the first test
 * -needs “add to panel” button/link for draggable items

General thoughts
 * -front page maybe too much visuals; suggested to dim all the artworks except for the one being viewed for a better focus
 * -side navigation is good since it gives much more space for the content

//Test A//
 * //Participant #3//**
 * -went straight to categories
 * -was hesitant about the drag and drop function but was able to do it
 * -difficulty with timeline; wanted to drag the all banners one by one
 * -maybe it needs a written cue “drag entire timeline here”

//Test B//
 * -viewer browsed through site as expected

//Test C//
 * -used search bar and autocomplete to find artwork; “easier to find things”
 * -found that the categories are also good to find things
 * -compare button is in a good place
 * -found saving images hard
 * -compare panel is a good idea but its not intuitive; maybe it would make it easier if it was always open
 * -related artists and artworks section is good since it made it easier to find a theme

General thoughts
 * -would use the site for research and inspiration
 * -front page is good; most sites she uses are not updated often, and thus she would not visit daily
 * -if the home page can pan out with more images and have random artworks it would make each visit more interesting

Edeline's Notes
Summarized here