David Little

Birkbeck Events Calendar UI redesign: case study

I undertook a complete user interface redesign and evaluation on the Birkbeck Events Calendar as part of my course in UI Redesign and Evaluation with the Open University (course code M873).

Formal methologies were applied in three separate stages:

1. Observing users using the current user interface which had not undergone any substantial usability testing.
2. Making redesigns to the interface based on user feedback.
3. Testing and evaluating the redesigns via user observation and making further recommendations for changes.

1. Evaluation of current user interface

The current user interface was considered in terms of its domain and user profiles. This allowed the identification of some key groups of users. Users’ goals were considered and from the goals, tasks descriptions were created.

Following some initial user observation, concrete use cases were created for one of the tasks which had been identified as causing the users most difficulty (identifying a particular type of event). Tools such as cognitive walk-throughs and concrete use cases were considered.

2. User interface redesign

Following the analysis of feedback gathered from the initial round of user observation, some use interface redesigns were made. A use case, essential use case and content diagram were created. This informed the redesign prototype mock-ups. These were created using a combination of HTML and Photoshop.

Particular consideration was given to the problematic areas identified from the user observation. Extra user interface elements were added to assist users with these tasks and to make it easier to complete their goals, such as calendar widgets to browse by date and subscribe by email or RSS functions.

3. User interface evaluation

User testing was carried out with the redesigned prototypes. User feedback was solicited by asking them to complete a number of tasks with the redesigns and also to complete a post-session questionnaire.

This data was analysed and interpreted, allowing for the creation of new low-fidelity mock-ups which addressed the usability issues identified in the user testing.