PComp: People Watching

Week 3
Assignment

People Watching


Pick a piece of interactive technology in public, used by multiple people. Write down your assumptions as to how it’s used, and describe the context in which it’s being used. Watch people use it, preferably without them knowing they’re being observed. Take notes on how they use it, what they do differently, what appear to be the difficulties, what appear to be the easiest parts. Record what takes the longest, what takes the least amount of time, and how long the whole transaction takes. Consider how the readings from Norman and Crawford reflect on what you see. 

 

Having read the Norman and Crawford readings, its hard to not look at how people use their hands. I have noticed that our hands especially the pinky finger has become our personal phone dock. It seems to me that they instinctively utilize their finger as a resting table while using the phone. I have also asked some ITPers if they realize that their little fingers are being used this way, nearly all of them said “no.” and that “it’s just easier to look at the screen."

 

 

Pinky Finger == Personal Phone Dock

 

Crooked Pinky Fingers

Eventually, the pinky fingers will be deformed and become flatte