This is an individual homework to make you think about and analyze devices or software that we use in everyday life. Think about designs that you know about (non-computer designs are OK) that you think are either very good or pretty bad. Select one product or system to discuss with respect to design and the user experiencefor example, your remote control, your PDA, an iPod, an iPad, etc. or any commonly used software (e.g. Microsoft Word, Photoshop, etc.) or any regularly accessed site (e.g. UC library page, ebay.com, etc.).

At this point in the course you are not expected to refer to HCI concepts, principles, or guidelines the system uses or breaks. This is more of an intuitive evaluation. Start by describing the product or system and its design. Say what you like or dislike about the design; why it is good or not so good. Just describe in your own words why you think the system you choose is good or bad and give examples.

As appropriate, contrast it with another product (similar or not), perhaps one that does not give a good user experience. The main focus of the discussion should be about design. Include an analysis with respect to each of the components of user experience: usability, usefulness, and emotional impact. You can also include other factors, as appropriate, including, marketing and business aspects, and implementability or manufacturing issues.

We are not concerned primarily about the functionality of the system, except as it might affect usefulness, as part of the user experience. We are mostly concerned with the interaction design, the user interface, and the overall user experience. For example there might be systems that have the capability to do a lot of things (high usefulness) but be very hard to use by the users for which the system was intended or designed (low usability and probably poor quality user experience).