Invole users & Design choices
Involve users
To test the initial models, a first study has been performed with two students to test the working principle and effect of the KeyPing. Beside this, an older participant (58 years old) has been asked to act as one of our future users of the board. The questions asked to the participants during and after the test can be found in Appendix 1. The result of the first user study was that young people like the idea, but would not buy the system themselves – although they understand the social benefit for elderly. So when the board is connected to their grandparent’s board, they can imagine using it to enhance the feeling of involvement with their grandparents.
The second study consisted of a sound-test. The objective was to find out which sounds were most associated with coming home. In the test five different home-coming sounds were (randomly) presented to the participants, being the sound of shoe steps, a squeaking door, tinkling keys, a doorbell and a mailbox. After this the users were asked what the sounds were; to check if they recognized the sounds, which one they found most pleasant and which one they associated most with coming home. All users associated the sound of keys most with coming home and stated that this was their favorite sound. These results led to the decision to include various key-sounds in the final design.
In the final study two participants tested the prototype. Both participants liked the general idea of the concept. They especially liked the personal items and the overall possibility to personalize the board. Only one of the test persons responded positive to the question if she would be likely to purchase a KeyPing herself. Important is that both understood the difference between blinking lights –indicating activity- and shining lights – indicating that the contact person is at home.
Design Choices
According to the user tests and exploration of the design team itself, some essential design choices have been made. The most important choices with respect to the use of light and sounds will be discussed in the following paragraph.
Sound Design
To indicate that someone is coming home, the KeyPing uses key sounds. The option to give users the opportunity to add their own sounds to the concept has been dismissed because of two main reasons: Users tests have shown that, from different home-coming sounds, the sound of keys were most associated with someone actually coming home. Besides that it is important that the final product is experienced as being intuitive in its use. The first time use of the product will be too complicated if users have to chose, record and implement their own sounds to the device.
Light Design
KeyPing began as a product that only indicated presence by activated LEDs and sound. During the process the decision has been made to add the indication of activity to the design: When contact 1 uses his/her front door the LEDs on the KeyPing of user 2 are blinking. The light intensity will gradually dissolve on KeyPing 2. After two hours the lights are totally dimmed. So the light intensity indicates how long ago contact 1 has used the front door.
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