Wake Up! Fix it!: Evaluate The Existing Radio Alarm

So, you are a usability expert. You've been set the task of creating a new usable design for a hotel alarm. What do you do?

You've decided to explore the existing design. Your hotel client is having problems with its radio alarm. It is supposed to be simple - when the alarm goes off, it plays the hotel radio station. Below is a mock-up of the problem alarm. You are the expert, what are the problems with the design? Or is it just the guests who are getting it wrong who are the problem?

This mock up only has limited functionality, enough for doing the task below. If you press the wrong button at any point it just won't do anything. Can you complete the task first time without making a mistake? If it is a good intuitive design, it should be easy.

Write down the correct sequence of button presses to do the task. Then check it. Had trouble with it - perhaps it is just that you need instructions? Step through the design following the instructions then try again without them, perhaps

Can you suggest ways to improve this design? Having got an idea of the problems with this radio, next you should increase your expertise and explore other designs.

The wake-up. Fix it! series of cs4fn articles is based on a Science Week activity organised by the Department of Computer Science at Queen Mary, University of London, with support from the Research Councils UK.