A study on the Usability of Digital Photo Frame

• Main Authors: Wei-Fong Lin, 林維峰
• Other Authors: Jih-Shyong Lin
• Format: Others
• Published: 2008
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/01661444285865214149

碩士 === 大同大學 === 工業設計學系(所) === 96 === In order to maintain the similar outlook design appearance of the current photo frames to traditional photo frames on the market and to avoid low consumer purchase intentions, the keys are mostly designed at the rear, on the top or on both sides of the products. However, such key arrangement does not conform to the general operational manner of users. While operating, users have to gaze at the screen and fumble for the keys with the hand simultaneously to cause operational inconveniences. This study had performed an experiment aiming at the tribal group of ages 25 to 34. The experiment was divided into two stages; the first stage of experiment used performance measures and open-ended questionnaire to evaluate the usability of existing products with keys located at the rear and on left and right sides, and sorted out the products’ advantages and disadvantages according to experiment findings in order to develop an operation interface for a new design project. The second stage of experiment had conducted evaluation and comparison focusing at the new design project and existing products, and utilized subjective satisfaction score chart to evaluate on satisfactory part, whether or not the new design project had been significantly improved, and further to induce the usability of design principles of digital photo frames. The new design project that this study proposed had adopted the characteristic of touch screen keys and shifted the position of keys to the right side of the screen to favor user friendliness. At the mean time, in order to maintain a uniformity outlook as to traditional photo frames, the new design project had used the screen to display the key icons as indications for users and has not added any imprint or icons on the outer frame to avoid psychology rejection from consumers. The research findings indicate that: 1. The position of keys located at the front of digital photo frames is more favorable by users. If the keys are placed on the top or at the rear, it would be best to enlarge the space between them to avoid touching other keys by mistake. 3. It would be best for the operational interface icons to coordinate with word description to avoid implication meanings of icons to cause application confusion. 4. Avoid using unidirectional key design. 5. The directions of operational interface arrows should match with user cognition.