|
|
|
Keywords
|
|
Interaction Design |
|
Design Research |
|
Rural India |
|
Mobile Telephony |
|
|
|
History; to restate a cliché' keeps telling us that at various points in the history of civilizations, communication (or the lack of it) has been responsible for their advancement or decline.
Earlier limited to metropolitan and large cities; Mobile telephony is rapidly becoming a part of rural settings as well. This is thanks to government policies and also with the search for newer markets by service providers. Although cellular service is becoming a part of rural India, yet there has been very little done in terms of localization by handset manufacturers.
The project was about using User Centered Design principles to make cell phone interaction for Hindi speaking rural India a more comfortable, confident experience.
From mapping current user experiences to building design solutions, the project ran over several phases. Starting from Design research to develop a holistic understanding of context, people, and competitive artifacts, To then developing appropriate inferences that would guide the design of prototype solutions. Paper prototypes for these designs were created to test appropriate design elements. These prototypes were user tested extensively in the field helping develop refined versions. These prototypes and designs have since been incorporated in Sony Ericsson's design strategy for India.
Major outcomes and findings of the project have been in interaction constructs to support text entry in Devnagri, design of easier navigation experience, terminology used for mobile devices, and factors affecting cell phone experience for Rural Indians.
The project at this stage is going in for interactive prototype testing with new/novice cellphone users in the field.
|
|
|
