unedited: Findable and Usable

a quick video tour for my usability class.

Janus is Not in The Building:

the Findability and Usability of Building Restrooms

i. Overview of system
Building Waste Elmination Systems or the restrooms.
Buildings have several waste elimination, processing and recycling systems. The systems that deal with human waste are known as Restrooms.

ii. Usability Problem with the system
We face two problems. First poor location and poor signage. Both contribute greatly to patrons not finding the restrooms. This we call Findability. The second issue we face is Usability. While the restrooms have the basic components restroom need, (toiliets, sinks, water, electricity), their poor design frustrates users. This is exhibited in many ways. I discuss several issues in the short video below.

In this short video walk-n-talk, I take you through finding and using the Restrooms within an academic library. Jump to about 3:20 in the timeline if you can't stand the poor audio. At that time, I discuss issues of findability/usability. I also talk about the confounding mentals models that create many wandering patrons looking for Restrooms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t2VKC-eN1w

iii. Recommendations and Conclusions
Some are as simple as clear, directive signage. Others would require a complete redesign of the Restrooms. I touch on some more in the video.



Why did I pick Janus?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus_(mythology)
"In Roman mythology, Janus (or Ianus) was the god of gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, and endings. His most prominent remnants in modern culture are his namesakes: the month of January, which begins the new year, and the janitor, who is a caretaker of doors and halls."

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• ux
• ua
• usability
• physical_buildings
• buildings
• findability