Didn't forget about the blog! Just busy designing my Interface and learning Flash Catalyst!

Back to basics

So, my initial interface design for my NJ Transit ticket machine was unsuccessful, to say the least. There were several problems with the design itself. Also, I'm 'rushing' into the project. Since the semester is over soon, I'm not really thinking through with the design. So, I'm starting from scratch, and going back to basics. I did some hand drawn sketches for the first 2 screens of the vending machine, and basically just thought about it a bit more.

My previous designs also looked a lot more difficult than they really were. Too many extra pages, and other confusing things. So I need to just step back, chill out, and just figure out what I would consider the 'perfect' ticket vending machine.

Flow Chart for Ticket Vending Machine

Some sketches for final

Final Project- Interview and Observation

Kisha Munson

October 28, 2010

Interface Design

Final Project Part 2: Observation

            It was impossible for me to find people who would allow me to interview them. I was in three states, and not one person agreed to let me interview them for this project. It is understandable, because they were in bus and train stations and had places to go. Or they just did not want to be bothered. So, I decided to observe my boyfriend using the MTA Metrocard Vending Machine, and my good friend who I visited over the weekend who lives in the District of Columbia area and used the Metro Vending Machine.

Persona 1

Name: Ivan Anthony Fraticelli

Age: 38

Education: some college

Ethnicity: ½ Italian and ½ Puerto Rican

Occupation: Veterinary Technician

Location of Interview: 175^th Street Station, Washington Heights, New York City

Question 1: How often do you use the MTA Metrocard Vending Machine?

Answer: I use it about once a week.

Question 2: What language do you choose on the main screen?

Answer: English. I’ve picked Spanish by mistake when in a rush, but it doesn’t matter since I speak Spanish as well.

Question 3: What kind of Metrocard do you purchase? Single ride, refill exisiting Metrocard, or an Unlimited?

Answer: I always refill my card. I never buy unlimited because I don’t know when I’m going to a housecall. I could end up just wasting my money if I don’t use it enough. If my card isn’t working, I’ll just buy a brand new one.

Question 4: Do you find the machine easy/moderate/difficult to use?

Answer: It’s easy. I’ve been using it for so long, I don’t remember if I had a hard time using it in the beginning. The only problem I have sometimes is that it won’t accept my dollar bills because they’re slightly wrinkled. And the machines seem to break down a lot.

Question 5: What would you change about the machine to make it easier for you to use (meaning the layout)?

Answer: I don’t know. My biggest issue with it is when I try to insert money. Dollars aren’t always neat and crisp, and the vending machine only seems to accept brand new bills. One little wrinkle in the bill, and you can’t do anything with it. I’ve seen people have to ask strangers for change because the machine wouldn’t take the dollar bills, or they didn’t have a credit card to use to buy a card. That’s the only thing I can think of that bothers me about the machine. But a lot of vending machines are like that.

Persona 2

(First off, let me say that I never thought I would find a ticket vending machine worst than the New Jersey Transit ticket machine. And then I encountered the DC Metro ticket machine. How people use that thing, I will never be able to figure out. The interface was shockingly horrendous. I appreciate NJ Transit a little more now.)

Name: Lahela Kahulani Chapman

Age: 32

Education: some college

Ethnicity: Hawaiian/Chinese and Welsh

Occupation: Former Veterinary Technician, now working in boyfriend’s parent’

Location of Interview: Eastern Market subway station, Washington, DC

Question 1: How often do you use the MTA Metrocard Vending Machine?

Answer: One to two times a week. I usually ride with Marko.

Question 2: What language do you choose on the main screen?

Answer: English.

Question 3: What kind of subway ticket to you purchase?

Answer: I buy a $20.00 Fare card and use it til it runs out. Then I buy another one.

Question 4: Do you find the machine easy/moderate/difficult to use?

Answer: I guess moderate. I’m still getting used to the machine. I guess the more I use it, the more I’ll understand it.

Question 5: What would you change about the machine to make it easier for you to use (meaning the layout)?

Answer: Well, there is A LOT going on. It’s really confusing when you look at it.  It’s definitely overwhelming. So maybe they should consider that less is more? And I really don’t like that when you buy your card, it (the machine) literally spits it out at you. You need to have your hand right at the dispenser. Once when I bought a card, the machine spit it out and there was a gust of wind in the station, and the ticket flew away. I wish it were like the Metrocard machine, where the ticket comes out partially and you have to actually take it out the machine.

Question 6: So you prefer the NYC Metrocard machine to the DC Metro machine?

Answer: Oh, yeah, definitely. It’s way easier to use. And it doesn’t spit tickets out at you!

Interface Design Final Project Proposal

Kisha Munson

October 21, 2010

Interface Design

Final Project Proposal

                       Interface Redesign:  New Jersey Transit Ticket Vending Machine

For my final project for Interface Design, I had several ideas. First I wanted to create an interface for finding dog parks in New York City. However, I decided against it because even though I think dog parks are important, I do not have much experience in dealing with them. So I decided to do a redesign of the New Jersey Transit Ticket Vending Machine.

In the first class assignment “Describe the Best and Worst Interface You Have Used”, I chose the NJ Transit Ticket Vending Machine as the worst. The previous vending machines were not fancy, but they were much easier and faster to use. Unfortunately, New Jersey Transit does not believe in the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”; they proved this to be true by upgrading to a more high tech, larger, brighter, and bolding ticket vending machine. Like many modern interfaces, the new vending machines are nice to look at, but functionality wise, it is horrible. It is the perfect definition of design over function.

If you have ever been through the Port Authority, you would know that it is a very fast paced building; New Jersey commuters in particular are constantly in a rush to either get to work or go home. These new vending machines have slowed things down significantly. Many people who are not used to the new vending machines will just stare at the touch screen in confusion; this causes two problems. First off, they are staring at it because they really do not know the steps that it takes to purchase a ticket. And secondly, because they are staring at the machine, a line is forming behind them filled with annoyed commuters. And if you do know how to use the machine, it is still tricky. The touch screen is very sensitive, causing the purchaser to accidentally purchase the wrong thing or go to the wrong screen. Also, there is unnecessary backtracking in regards to the quantity of tickets. Some commuters give up altogether, and go to an actual ticket agent to purchase their tickets. All of these issues cause the commuter to be late or miss their bus.

My goal for the redesign is to make the machine more efficient and less time consuming. I will start my research by taking photographs of the machine and each screen. I will study the screen and machine, and create a redesign of each to improve functionality.

I've been neglecting my blog. Sorry, blog!

Anyway, I admit, I have not finished reading the book (so much reading this semester!). But I do plan on finishing it because I actually do find it interesting. It goes along well with Ray Kurzweil's book that I'm reading for another class.

So, in the last class we discussed our final project. Right now, I'm really leaning towards redesigning the interface for the NJ Transit Vending Machine. So many people (myself included) are affected by the difficulty of using the interface. If I could design it to make it a little bit easier and faster to use, that would be great.