1. 1
SELF CHECK-OUT AT HOME-DEPOT
01 02 03
I went to Home Depot The self-checkout There were few ppl.
for the assignment. I section is indicated (with trolley and w/o)
..... spent about 20 min- by the big sign above. and also shop assis-
utes buying couple of Bold and comprehen- tant. The stations
things for my Pcomp sible. (7-8) were enough for
class. this amount of cus-
tomers.
I was pretty tired. Bag This is my first-time I didn’t interact with
filled with stuff and self-checkout. a bit the assistant. The
was heavy. I carried excited. I saw a short system is under-
items in my hand as line in front of me. standable.
proceeding to the
checkout.

2. 1
04 05 07
Many interfaces I en- I started to checkout There are stack of
countered as I was items intuitively by plastic bags sitting on
..... approaching the ma- looking for the bar- the left as you check-
chine code and move it out items from the
- the main screen across the reader. It right.
- barcode reader under took 3-5 sec.to locate
the main screen a barcode and read it * there is a small
- the small screen on the
correctly. I finished empty space next to
right
- the small screen on top them in less than 1 the stack in case you
of the main one minute for 4 items. want to re-arrange
- sth in front of the ma- things later.
chine I didn’t notice.
There are many inter- The barcode reading
faces but it is in fact space is too small
similar to the regular and it’s not comfort-
checkout cashier. I able for big items.
saw big “START” on
the screen.

3. 1
07 08
07 09
Many buttons on the I checked the total The receipt was print-
..... screen which I didn’t amount and familiarly ed out eventually and
take time to read. swiped the card down it came to the end of
However, the ‘Pay in order to pay. the process.
Now’ button pops
out. This is natural move-
ment as we swipe
Also there is a securi- ‘down’ like we cut
ty camera above the something.
main screen. It was
off-sight.
I double-checked all It always confuse me The whole process
my items on the which side of the card was finished in 3 min-
sceen before pressing I should swipe. utes. I was happy.
‘Pay Now’ button and I will definitely do it
proceeding the pay- again next time.
ment.

4. 1
SELF CHECK-OUT AT HOME-DEPOT
DESIGN INTERVENTION
1. Improve the barcode reader space
{ bigger, easier }
2. Integrate everything in one screen
lessen complication. { provide more
human-friendly GUI and guidelines }
3. Improve position of the barcode
reader. It should read from above
instead from underneath. Also, it will
help the user to easily locate the
barcode.

5. 2
PUBLIC OBSERVATION AT TOTTO RAMEN
2
1 After sitting and waiting in a very small
uncomfortable space for 20 minutes
I started this assignment by accident and there were half of the line to go,
as I was craving for ramen and jumped I started to document.
out for it days ago. I found this ramen
shop by searching ‘Ramen’ from Maps.
It went there two times. My first attemp
failed because I was the 20th queue.
But my second one, I went there since
4.10 (the shop opens at 4 on Sunday)
and I was the 8th.
3
Who is there?
- Customers waiting for seats
(mostly asian, group of 4, couples,
only few who came alone like me)
- Waiter who is responsible for
4 organising the line (small picture)
and he doesn’t speak english well.
- Finished customers walking out
Queing Process?
1. Every customer is sloppily guided to Everyone was willing to stay and wait
write down their name on the queue list I kept hearing things like “I’m very
which is a scrap. excited!” and conversation about the
2. After the finished customer walked ramen menu.
out, the waiter will call the next custom-
er and guide them to the table

6. 2
PUBLIC OBSERVATION AT TOTTO RAMEN
QUESTIONS?
How could we make ‘waiting’ more enjoyable and challenging?
How could we systematically organise the queue list?
How could we improve the waiting area?
How could we holistically redesign the process of queing, ordering
making payment for this particular shop to be more convenient?
POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENTS
1. Turns queing into a game or challenge -- by tracking record of
whom that spend longest time queing then reward them back,
for instance
Required information
- User behavior
- What makes user enjoyable while waiting
- What drives them to wait
2. Create an app that enable you to queue the line before arriving.
Required information
- User behavior on mobile/app usage
3. Redesign the whole service to improve efficiency, fasten
the process of queing, organizing, cooking, etc. and suit compact
space e.g., vending machine system, McDonald system.
Required information
- User behavior
- Waiter/cook behavior

7. 3
EVERYDAY LIFE QUESTIONS
AND IMPROVEMENTS
Bike-theft is big issue and
bike lock is frickin bulky
and heavy. Can we integrate
lock system to our bike?
Can we redesign a bike post?
What would happen if we
don’t have to wash clothes
anymore?
What is the meaning of
the food container?
Is there a container that
fits all kinds of food?

8. 3
EVERYDAY LIFE QUESTIONS
AND IMPROVEMENTS
Video calling is a part
of my life.
How can we improve
video call? Can we
enjoy things like games,
movies, music together
while making call?
What would happen
if the government
banned plastic bags?
What material should
be used instead of
plastic?

9. observe. question. design
PARSONS MFADT
Major Studio 2012
APON PALANUWECH
palaa159@newschool.edu