Talk given at NationJS 10/4/13
Schedule Description:
In this talk, Pam Selle (thewebivore.com) will demonstrate a simple method of rapid prototyping and idea validation. You’ll learn how to use Express.js for rapid prototyping, leverage user testing to validate designs and interactions, and get it all up and running on the web quickly and easily.
6. +
What is prototyping?
A prototype is an early sample or
model built to test a concept or
process or to act as a thing to be
replicated or learned from.
Source: ye olde Wikipedia
7. +
“The best way to have a
good idea is to have
lots of ideas.”
-Linus Pauling
18. +
Prototyping
Not difficult to build!
Express is pretty nifty
But not always necessary
Nice article on Express Understanding Express.js from Evan
Hahn
20. +
Why user test?
Usability!
The „U‟s of usability
Utility: Does it do what you need?
Usability: Ease and pleasure of use
Useful: usability + utility
Useful, usable, desirable (Liz Sanders)
Needed, understandable, wanted & enjoyable
27. +
User Testing
Do it early
Observe
Document
Great book: Don‟t Make Me Think
28. +
Summary
Use prototyping to cheaply produce something to
show
Express is a quick, fun way to create apps
User testing is fast, cheap, and you can do it!
Hi! I’m pam, etc.I’m going to talk about two things here
Okay, maybe secretly three things
A prototype is something EARLY to TEST or something to LEARN from
TEST*2/LEARNCan talk about the second two in the Q&A if you like
Quickly makes them cheapMake them early for maximal learningPretty is in the eye of the beholder, and pretty means they focus on the prettyMOST IMPORTANT!
Selling point is don’t need to know how to code, and they’ll take your moneyAxureOMG it’s dreamweaverInvision – linkify and annotate designs. Good for visuals, or collaboration, maybe not so good for prototyping.
Node gives you HTTP for a webserver, Connect is middleware to make it easier, and Express is the sugar on top that makes it tasty.Shouldn’t need data, etc.
JessicaIvins talks about UUD, check out her slides for some resources.
Can’t advocate for who you don’t know The most direct route. You have to talk to them.
My tips for user testing
How convenient that we just talked about prototyping!Talk about Neighboards – idea was to take coffee shop board online, help people find neighborhood eventsExercise in prototyping and user testingDid research beforehand as well
"heuristics" because they are more in the nature of rules of thumb than specific usability guidelines. (i.e. not “only have 3 widgets”)Ex. Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errorsCategorize your observations into the heuristics to make sure they’re important, and help prioritize
Look for emotions. Anger is a very informative emotions.Mark Dominus!
Use pictures as a memory tool, catch the screen if you canDon’t make people feel like ratsImportantly it’s time to iterate. Make another version if an issue showed up multiple times, its and issue
If we have some time, I’m happy to answer questions, like other kinds of prototypes
