Communications of the ACM
Study Pushes the Button on Intuitive Design
Credit: Queensland University of Technology
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researcher Simon Lawry plans to observe adults in their homes using everyday appliances in an effort to develop contemporary devices that are more usable for the elderly. Designing products based on intuitive interaction could enable older adults to live more independently, Lawry says.
Intuitive interaction involves using knowledge gained through other experiences, as familiar technology would be adapted to other devices such as a DVD player or mobile phone. "If we can determine what older people are already familiar with, then based on the idea of intuitive use, they should be able to go up to a product and use it without necessarily having to learn to use it," he says. "Basically we are looking to determine the knowledge of older people and how we can use this knowledge to develop tools so better products can be designed for them."
Lawry will conduct short interviews of volunteers and use audio and video to capture data.
From Queensland University of Technology
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