Design
I tried to incorporate the ideas and theory behind universal design into my prototype. I included the ridges on the handle for comfort holding the shower handle with soapy hands. I also designed a physical turn able dial for the temperature instead of a touch screen for usability purposes.
Prototype
I created shower prototype with a shower head and a touch screen display. The shower connects to the display with a string. The shower head was created with card stock, cardboard, and clay. I added weight to the shower head with clay and rocks inside the wand. I added ridges on the shower wand for usability with clay. The display was created with cardboard, clay, and card stock. The screens on the display are able to be switched out in a sliding fashion.
Analysis
User test #1:
I asked a staff member at the mill to test my prototype multiple times. From these usability tests I concluded three main things.
1) The shower weight feels heavier than realistic
2) The content on the screens would be difficult to anticipate if not explained
3) The temperature dial design was discoverable and usable
I concluded that I needed to redesign my touch screen display and move everything onto one screen and include other descriptive text on the screen. I also concluded that I needed to make the shower head lighter, shorter, and more curved.
User Test #2:
I conducted my second usability test with an individual from class. Immediately I realized a couple of glaring unaddressed user needs in my prototype.
1) The method of switching on and off the shower is not clear
2) “Wall” is not clear where the water is coming from
3) The gripper on the wand is lower than where the hand would naturally sit