[Sigia-l] Usability Testing comments from Giga

[John O'Donovan-INTERNET]

Buildings (especially large ones) are extensively tested and usability
issues are more "built in" to the design rather than tested afterwards. From
early mock ups and models through to complex 3D virtual environments. There
are also well regulated and understood conventions on what is good practice.

For example, think about the proximity of exits or number of people per
office or size of stairwells etc...All this is regulated.

Simulations are also very complex. For example crowd simulation in a stadium
will be used to balance the issues around number of people, space,
obstructions, size of doorways, behaviour, etc.

Look at some of the models further down the page here, for example:

http://st.itim.unige.it/itim/websim1999_museum/w424.html

The relationship between people, space and what those people are doing
(goals if you like) is very well modelled.

Even if you were to build a small extension (in the UK at least) you will
find that there are guidelines on how large doorways should be, number and
size of windows, ventilation openings, and so on.

It is important to consider that the interior designer may have more to do
with how effectively the space is planned and used rather than the
architect.

As to be expected though, aesthetics are as vague an issue for buildings as
they are for anyone here...


 ::: John O'Donovan
 ::: Lead Architect
 ::: Digital and Interactive
 ::: BBC Technology
 ::: +44 (0) 780 313 6620
 ::: Room 1300, Stadium House, 68 Wood Lane, London, W12 7TA
 ::: john.odonovan at bbc.co.uk



-----Original Message-----
From: Richard_Dalton at vanguard.com [mailto:Richard_Dalton at vanguard.com]
Sent: 27 March 2003 15:09
To: sigia-l at asis.org
Subject: RE: [Sigia-l] Usability Testing comments from Giga


Daniel R Drop wrote:
> This discussion is resurfacing a related question I have about
> information architecture.  Will the field of information architecture 
get
> to a point where we have developed sufficient theory with supporting
> practical frameworks that usability testing will becoming less 
important?
> 
> We often compare IA with building architects.  I am under the impression
> that building architects do not have usability testing for their
> structures. Surely there are building architects who design horribly
> unusable spaces. On the other hand, there are very experienced building
> architects who can design pleasant, usable spaces without having to
> resort to usability testing. Can our profession get there?

Good question. I think a lot of buildings would have benefitted from some 
usability testing - but how do you do it? You can ask users for their 
opinions or how they "think" they'd use a building - but without building 
it its difficult to actually observe them. Its much easier in the field of 
I/A to build a prototype and watch them use it, this might account for the 
fact that usability testing is more prevalent in I/A than Building Arch.

 - Richard Dalton

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