2015
“testaffairs” is the result of the master thesis I wrote in collaboration with designaffairs to answer the following questions:
RQ1: How will the evaluation of User Experience adapt to a changing product and project world?
RQ2: How can we enhance existing methods and use new technology to optimize processes?
Problem
The evaluation of user experience with real users in each project development phase and many iterations influence the quality of a designer’ s work. Approved methods are often not feasible because of the high effort and fast product development cycles. This also affects design agencies which are service providers and consultants for big companies. They have to economize with the existing budget and at the same time consider the requirements of their clients, meet their own claim on quality whilst keeping an eye on the users’ needs.
Procedure
To be able to meet the challenge I examined the status quo of UX evaluation. Therefore I tested existing methods for their practicability regarding the challenges of design agencies, especially the interests of different stakeholders. The aim was to find an ideal process.
By developing an UX evaluation app, called testaffairs, evaluation is expected to be efficient and effective.
Subjects are trusted to evaluate products, systems and services on their own, in the real use context of their daily life, to document relevant and important insights for designers, product managers and clients.
The concept was realized in an iterative process as a functional prototype using HTML5 and AngularJS.
To prove the concept I conducted two studies to compare the feedback quality and relevance for designers to a traditional user test and an expert review. Furthermore I reviewed the value of a structured app with pre-defined categories compared to a free-form design.
The results show that an UX-Evaluation app generates less feedback than a traditional study, but thanks to the holistic observation including, aesthetic, usability as well as empathic and contextual insights it can be more relevant for designers. testaffairs is applicable for any kind of product, system or service.
designaffairs has adopted “testaffairs” as new tool.
Publications
DIS 2016
CrowdUX: A Case for Using Widespread and Lightweight Tools in the Quest for UX
MCBW Start Up
23th February 2016
designaffairs will present “testaffairs” as their new tool at the Munich Creative Business Week Start Up event.
World Usability Day
12th November 2015
Presentation together with one of my tutors, Johannes Huber of designaffairs, to present the final result of “testaffairs”. Read here for more information.
Schäffler “Open Inspiration”
4th November 2015
Together with one of my tutors, Alexander Peters from designaffairs, we presented “testaffairs” on our booth at the Schäffler “Open Inspiration” fair.
German UPA Munich @designaffairs
2nd July 2015
Talk on the topic: „UX Lab 2.0“: How will the evaluation of User Experience adapt to a changing product and project world? How can we enhance existing methods and use new technology to optimize processes?
Press
Zwomp.de Onlinemagazin für Industriedesign
22nd December 2015
Testaffairs: Usability-Test per App
Pressebox
23rd November 2015
Dr. Anna-Katharina Frison 