Evaluating the design, use and learnability of household products for older individuals

Abstract

Assessing the usability of products, interfaces and artefacts from an inclusive design perspective can widen cross-market acceptability and adoption, enhancing their potential commercial success. This paper is part of ongoing research that attempts to evaluate the design of existing products on the market, in terms of usability and learnability, with a view to improving these facets where deficiencies become apparent across user populations. Individuals were assessed according to the development of their product understanding during increased product exposure, providing concurrent protocol whilst product interaction occurred. The extent of participants' technological familiarity was also investigated to determine how prior experience may affect product interaction performance. Age related differences were evident in both approaches to problem solving and extent of technological familiarity, and this also impacted overall interactional performance. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.