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Usability and Evaluative Methods
Assignment: Indiana Historical Society Website
- Revise Information Architecture (primary)
- Update Web Design (secondary)
IHS Web by Diego & Projjol
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Problem Space
Indiana Historical Society Website
www.indianahistory.org
IHS Web by Diego & Projjol
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Information Architecture: Problems
• Too “flat”
In an effort to reduce navigation for the
user and simplify the search for a
specific section, the information is
arranged such that there is a lot of
breadth and no depth. A plethora of links
is provided at the surface level. This
actually backfires by causing an
information overload for the user.
e.g. the main navigation menu has 17
items and the “Quick Links” menu has 24
Navigation Menu
“Quick Links” Menu
IHS Web by Diego & Projjol
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Information Architecture: Problems
Home > Education Resources
• Lack of clarity
Information is arranged un-intuitively
and often hard to find.
e.g. the “Traveling Exhibits” link is
within the “Education Resources”
section, but the “Exhibits” section
makes no mention of it
Home > Exhibits
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Information Architecture: Problems
• Circular redundancy
Large sections of the web site are
either available through multiple paths
(occasionally necessary, but usually
not) or link back and forth between
each other. This redundancy reflects
confusion in the information
architecture
e.g. “Preservation Imaging
Department” is not only a major link
under both “Collections/Library” as well
as “Conservation” but is also described
differently in each case
Home > Collections/Library
Home > Conservation
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Information Architecture: Solutions
• Too “flat”: Revamped information
architecture to increase hierarchy
and reduce surface-level overload
• Lack of clarity: Arranged
information more simply and
intuitively
• Circular redundancy: Removed
link redundancies except where
absolutely necessary
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Web Site Design: Problems
• Dated / Uninspiring
Archaic design / Insipid use
of arrangement and colors
• Unintuitive / Inconsistent
Lack of affordances /
Different fonts, colors and
styles for similar items
• Inefficient use of screen
real-estate
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Web Site Design: Solution - Static Prototypes
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Web Site Design: Solution - Dynamic Prototype
IHS Web Redesign (link)
Functional links:
1) IHS Home
2) IHS > About IHS > Mission
3) IHS > Visitor Info > Directions / Hours
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Evaluation: Design Testing
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Evaluation: Further work
• Favorite Users List
A user would be able to compile a list of favorite users. When online, he/she
would be able to see this list that would also show the conversations these
users were participating in at that time.
• Private Messages
The ability to send another user a message visible only to him/her.
• User Icons
While mostly a cosmetic addition, these would help add some individuality.
• Emotion Icons (or “Emoticons”)
Emoticons are now an integral part of text-based chatting. Incorporating them
would further expand our work since, in additional to an emotional state or
mood, users would be able to portray specific emotions related to a certain
message or comment.
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Thank You
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