Applying scenarios in user-centred design to develop a sketching interface for human modelling and animation

  • Authors:

  • C. Mao;S. F. Qin;D. K. Wright;Jun Peng

  • Affiliations:

  • School of Engineering & Design, Brunel University, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK;School of Engineering & Design, Brunel University, Middlesex, UK;School of Engineering & Design, Brunel University, Middlesex, UK;Department of Environmental Art Design, School of Art Design, Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, P.R. China and School of Engineering & Design, Brunel University, Middlesex, UK

  • Venue:
  • SBM'06 Proceedings of the Third Eurographics conference on Sketch-Based Interfaces and Modeling
  • Year:
  • 2006

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Abstract

This paper presents our user and usability studies for applying scenarios in user-centred design to develop a sketching interface for virtual human modelling and animation. In this approach, we utilise the User Centred System Design (UCSD) strategy and spiral lifecycles to ensure system usability and functionalities. A series of usability techniques were employed. After the initial conceptual design, a preliminary user study (including questionnaires and sketching observations) was undertaken to establish the formal interface design. Second, an informal user test was conducted on the first prototype: a "sketch-based 3D stick figure animation interface". Finally, a formal user evaluation (including performance tests, sketching observations, and interviews) was carried out on the latest version: a "sketch-based virtual human builder". During this iterative process, various paper-based and electronic-based sketching scenarios were created, which were acted-out by users to help designers evoke and verify design ideas, identify users' needs, and test the prototype interfaces in real contexts. Benefiting from applying the UCSD strategy and scenario-based design to develop a natural and supportive sketching interface, our investigation can be a useful instantiation for the design of other sketching interfaces where these techniques have not been widely acknowledged and utilised in the past.