An HCI project conducted on the MSC Design Ethnography program to attempt to Redesign the current remote control into something more user friendly.

1. {redesigning the remote}
human computer interaction
and usability engineering
AC52003.2c
mark | sandeep | himanshu | deepak | zenan

2. why?
we had an inkling that remotes were too complex
we thought remotes had too many buttons
we thought remotes were not intuitive
we had to find out if our hunch was correct

3. desk research
what currently exists?
has this topic already been covered?
how do people interact with remotes/devices?
can gestures solve the problems of intuitiveness?

4. interim presentation
were more technology focused than research
had a leaning towards a gestural system
our review group pointed out our initial age range was too
broad
eu study – vital mind – phillips uWand

5. approach
target demographic 18-24
trifecta of methods
survey
focus group
cultural probe

6. survey results
43 respondents
50% 18-24
29 out 43 satisfied with current remote
32 out 43 use half or less buttons
22 out 43 prefer less buttons with same functionality
35 out 43 interested in gesture interactions

7. focus group
4 initial participants
Aged 18-24
2 sessions
1st opinions of current remotes and gaming controllers
2nd prototyping of ideal remote

8. focus group - 1st session
road-testing remotes
identifying pros/cons with laminate remotes

9. focus group - 2nd session
'ideal' remote
plasticine prototyping
interface mapping

10. cultural probe
instructions
disposable camera
sketch book
pens

11. cultural probe
un-used
parts didn't arrive as per schedule
participants hard to find
ethics re-vision

12. outcomes
touchscreen interface
rechargeable
customizable
3-tier menu system

13. usability requirements
number of presses required to reach any arbitrary channel
should be not more than 2.
navigation of menus should take less than 3 seconds.
touchscreen customizable interface should provide tactile
feedback and should not require more than two ‘presses’ to
actuate.
can the user understand how to customize interface without
any explanation?

14. outcomes
classic menu tv guide

15. outcomes
classic favorites settings