The purpose of this study was to add to the knowledge of older consumers and their use of electronic products. The work involved redesigning a microwave oven by employing a touch screen interface. This provided a simpler panel with limited choices, step-by-step prompts and larger controls and displays. The design was tested for usability with 8 people over 60 and 8 under 60, in comparison to an existing microwave oven. Participants of all ages completed 4 out of 5 sample tasks faster with the touch screen model. The touch screen model was rated easier to learn and use on all tasks. This paper discusses the redesign of the microwave, the usability test, and final design recommendations.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Consumers Union (1991). Consumer Reports 1992 Buying Guide, December, 1991, pp. 733–738
2.
DumasJ. (1988). Designing user interfaces for software.New Jersey: Prentice-Hall
3.
LoringB. (1993). Survey on older consumers and home electronics: Trends and usability issues. In Proceedings of INTERFACE '93 (pp. 95–100). Santa Monica, CA: The Human Factors Society
4.
PirklJ.J. (1989). Transgenerational design: An industrial design imperative. In Proceedings of Interface 89 (pp. 51–56). Santa Monica, CA: The Human Factors Society
5.
PirklJ.J. (1994). Transgenerational Design: Products for an Aging Population.New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold
6.
WardC. (1991). Increasing independence through technology: The views of older consumers with disabilities and their caretakers. (Results of the third year of a 5-year study) Washington, DC: The Electronic Industries Foundation, Rehabilitation Engineering Center
