A graphical user interface (GUI) is the bridge between the software and the user. In video games the user interface must be easily understandable and apprehensive. In fact, if a user interface is poorly done it will often break the game and make the user choose another game. If a user has the ability to configure and change the look of the user interface, will it then result in improved game experience? That’s what we investigated in this thesis. To carry out the investigation we developed a fully customisable user interface to a game called “World of Warcraft”. We then compared the original “World of Warcraft” GUI with our own developed customisable GUI; this was conducted with a usability test with five participants. The result of the investigation showed that the participants in fact noticed an improvement in game experience and were intrigued to continue playing. With the customisable GUI the users felt that they could make more important abilities more accessible by either position them in a certain way or change the size of them.

The traditional approaches to training surgeons are becoming increasingly difficult to apply to modern surgical procedures. The development of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) techniques demands new and complex psychomotor skills, and means that the apprentice-based system described by 'see one, do one, teach one' can no longer be expected to fully prepare surgeons for operations on real patients, placing patient safety at risk. The use of cadavers and animals in surgical training raises issues of ethics, cost and anatomical similarity to live humans. Endoscopic sinus surgery involves further risk to the patient due to the proximity of vital structures such as the brain, eyes, optic nerve and internal carotid artery. In recent years, simulation has been used to overcome these problems, exposing surgeons to complex procedures in a safe environment, similarly to its use in aviation. However, the cases simulated in this manner may not be customised by training staff to present desired pathology. This thesis describes the design and development of a new tool for the creation of customised cases for the training of sinus surgery. Users who are inexperienced and non-skilled in the use of three-dimensional (3D) Computer Aided Design (CAD) modelling software may use the tool to implement pathology to the virtual sinus model, which was constructed from real CT data. Swelling is applied in five directions (four horizontal, one vertical) to the cavity lining of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses. Tumours are individually customised and positioned in the frontal, sphenoid and ethmoid sinuses. The customised CAD model may then be latterly manufactured using Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP) to produce the complex anatomy of the sinuses in a full colour physical part for the realistic simulation of surgical procedures. An investigation into the colouring of the physical model is also described, involving the study of endoscopic videos to ascertain realistic shades. The program was evaluated by a group of medical professionals from a range of fields, and their feedback was taken into account in subsequent redevelopment of the program, and to suggest further work.