Coeliac disease is an intestinal disorder, requiring patients to maintain a life-long gluten-free diet to ensure better health and reduce the risks of osteoporosis, intestinal lymphoma and other associated diseases. Patients must have access to clear information about the disease and about what foods are safe to eat, detect foods that contain gluten and make adjustments that need to be made to their diet. There is very little well designed information currently available for Coeliac patients. Eating out and shopping in supermarkets can become a nightmare. A User-centred design approach was used to generate information and insights on the Coeliac disease and patients' needs to conceptualise, design and evaluate an information handbook that is both functional and pleasurable to use. Questionnaires, interviews and focus groups were used to generate empirical data that guided a participative design process before the evaluation of the handbook. This project consists of a handbook as practical work that represents the main body of applied research. The practical work and the exegesis constitute 50% each of the thesis value.

The interest in the complex relationship between the behaviour of users and the design of interactive system has been significantly increased as the digital technology has advanced. This has led to usability becoming one of the key elements in user-centred interaction design. Systems need to be designed in a usable way; efficient, use-enhancing, flexible and learnable and the design should also meet the user’s needs and aspirations. This thesis aimed to develop a more usable prototype of the Maintenance Ground Support System (MGSS), using prototyping and a user-centred design approach. The prototype was developed using an adaptation on the evolutionary software development process that consisted of four iterative steps. The prototypes were created, tested and evaluated with surrogate and end-users. The design of the prototype is based on a customizable and simple dashboard application that supports multiple user needs and requirements, in a familiar environment where the user can feel confident and be in control. Based on usability testing, the prototype was concluded to be more efficient, understandable as well as easier to use than the existing system.

This study is a case study for a mobile app for fishing enthusiasts, Fishbrain with the purpose of presenting personas based on user-research. This assignment was carried out upon request of Fishbrain as the company finds that they lack qualitative data. One main reason for this is that the majority of the users are located in the US. Fishbrain has 4.83 million users mainly across the United States, Australia, Sweden and Brazil (14th of December 2017). This study intends to determine whether our chosen methods for user-research can apply when the interviewers and the responders are located at different geographical locations, and to evaluate if our chosen method for deriving personas can be applied on a large user base. This study is based on quantitative data collected through surveys. Subsequently, interviews were conducted as a method for collecting more qualitative data. Based on this empirical foundation, interesting insights and recurring factors were categorized. Two primary personas and two secondary personas were developed from this analysis. This study finds that our chosen methods for user-research are valid when users and researchers are located in different places, but that there are certain limitations that the researchers should take into consideration, for example the time difference. This may require a longer research timeframe  than if the research is conducted in a lab environment. / Denna undersökning är en fallstudie för Fishbrain med syfte att presentera personas framtagna utifrån användarundersökningar. På önskan av Fishbrain genomfördes detta uppdrag då företaget upplever att de saknar kvalitativ data, eftersom majoriteten av användarna befinner sig i USA. Fishbrain har 4,83 miljoner användare fördelat över främst USA, Australien, Sverige och Brasilien (2017-12-14). Med denna studie hoppas vi kunna svara på huruvida våra valda metoder för användarundersökningar är lämpliga då undersökare och deltagare befinner sig på olika geografiska platser, samt att utvärdera huruvida vår valda metod för framtagande av personas kan appliceras på en stor användarbas. Undersökningen utgår från kvantitativt insamlad data från enkätundersökningar. Därefter används intervju som metod för att komma åt mer kvalitativa aspekter. Utifrån denna empiriska grund kategoriseras olika intressanta insikter och återkommande faktorer. Vid analys av datainsamlingen utvecklas två primära samt två sekundära personas. Undersökningens slutsats är att det är applicerbart att genomföra användarundersökningar när användarna och undersökarna befinner sig på olika platser, men att det finns vissa begränsningar som undersökarna bör ta hänsyn till, såsom tidsskillnad. Dessa begränsningar medför att den tidsram som sätts för projektet bör beräknas längre än om undersökningarna genomförs i laboratoriemiljö.

The purpose with this thesis was to study user activities in a business system, MediusFlow. The overall objective was to identify user related problems and to analyse which of the usability data gathering methods to use in the future development process of the company Medius. The outcome of this study indicated that a cognitive related user problem was the most important problem to solve. A Star Life Cycle method was preferred. Two low-fidelity prototypes were developed to exemplify an alternative design solution to the identified cognitive user problem. Furthermore, the two best methods to use when gathering user related requirements were heuristic evaluation and expert review. In addition a company specific Style Guide was created with generic guidelines as a foundation for development of future applications within Medius.

Because of the competitive market and high product failure, product development and quality is moving towards a merging of functionality and usability with psychological needs. The interaction with the products creates a need, which can be a decisive aspect for the user when choosing a product. The Kansei approach, also known as Kansei Engineering, aims at converting the psychological needs that influence the subjective perception of the user, into actual design specification, with eight types developed so far. Furthermore, the method implies that, the competitiveness of the product can be enhanced by attaching users’ feelings and aesthetic impressions in term of product attributes, to the product features.This thesis describes how the methodology can be used by implementing Kansei Engineering Type I as a tool to evaluate and map the subjective perceptions of dining tables. The research shows that it was possible to map correlations between the users’ subjective perception and design features. E.g. a dining table that is perceived as solid, has the feature rail/frame and is heavy (>35kg). This can be used as input in user-centred product development. Even if no correlation was possible in some cases, valuable information was gathered that can be used for further analysis. As a continuation of the research, will be to focus on which surface textures is better perceived as natural feeling of wood.

Desired qualities of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) represent what potential users want, hope for, and expect of MaaS without having experienced the service yet. Knowledge about the desired qualities is essential to design MaaS to meet users’ needs. However, little attention has been paid to understand potential users' desired qualities in the literature on MaaS. This paper addresses this void in literature with an explorative study with potential MaaS users in Sweden. The results of the study are desired qualities of MaaS such as reliability, entertainment and inclusivity. The study contributes with a thematization and classification of desired qualities of MaaS. The themes are desired qualities that make life easier, desired qualities that provide assurance, desired qualities that reward, desired qualities that appeal to inclinations and desired qualities that maintain preferred habits. The four levels of classification are functional, emotional, life-changing, and social significance. Researchers and service designers could work backward from these desired qualities to design user-centred services towards user satisfaction.

The main goal of this study was to do a heuristic evaluation of the information architecture (IA) of the recently redesigned academic library website of the University of Pretoria and to provide recommendations for improvement if necessary. The main problem that is addressed by this study is that there is no comprehensive list of heuristics for the purpose of evaluating the IA of academic library websites. This study used various methods to address this problem and achieve the main goal. A literature review resulted in a set of integrated usability heuristics that can be used to do a heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites. The set was created based on an integration of existing usability principles from authorities in the field of usability. The integrated set of existing principles was made applicable to academic library websites through the addition of sub-criteria based on a review of twenty related studies. A multiple-case study method was used for the heuristic evaluation of the library websites of the top three universities in South Africa, i.e., University of Cape Town, University of the Witwatersrand, and Stellenbosch University. The results of the multiple-case study method were used to further adapt the list of principles. The heuristic evaluation method was used in each of the case studies as a data collection method. Another case study was done, using the same method and revised heuristics, to evaluate the usability of the library website of the University of Pretoria and to provide recommendations. The main outcomes of this study is a list of heuristics that can be used for the heuristic evaluation of the IA of academic library websites, as well as a list of recommendations for the improvement of the newly redesigned library website of the University of Pretoria. The list of heuristics is not limited to academic library websites, however, as it can be adapted and reused for the heuristic evaluation of other types of websites. / Dissertation (MIS)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Information Science / MIS / Unrestricted

What are things occurring in peoples mind when thinking about ‘mammography’? Some might not be entirely sure about what mammography is, some might get a feeling of discomfort and some may be very familiar with this method of finding breast cancer tumors. But why is it that many women get ner-vous when thinking about mammography and common words used when describing it are: discomfort, loneliness, pain and “ouch”?  This thesis project started by exploring methods for diagnosing and treating breast cancer. What are current technologies and procedures - And can we improve these methods and the experience of using them? The result, Nina, is an approach to improve the most common method used in breast cancer diagnostics: Mammography. Through study visits at hospitals, dia-logues with doctors, nurses and former breast cancer patients this project tried to identify areas for improving the mammog-raphy experience. Together with physical prototyping, participatory workshops and user feedback the result reflects three core values driving the design and final concept of the project: Appearance, comfort and patient-nurse relationship. The Appearance is made smaller through nano X-ray technology creating a lighter and friendlier look compared to contempo-rary machines. Comfort is improved by softer and more inviting shapes and with smarter breast compression.   Having patient and nurse close (Pa-tient-nurse relationship) forms a bond and shared experience helping patients feel more calm and relaxed.  The concept is supported by the website “Squeeze please” - A platform to facilitate mammography appointments as well as to provide information about breast cancer and the mammography experience. Nina is simply an approach to turn mam-mography into a more pleasant and positive experience and to further improve breast cancer diagnostics.

Durch den Fortschritt der Digitalisierung sind Computer zu einem wesentlichen Bestandteil des Alltags ihrer Nutzer geworden. Folglich wächst die Bedeutung der nutzerzentrierten Entwicklung von soziotechnischen Systemen, die neben dem technischen System auch die komplexen Anforderungen des sozialen Systems berücksichtigt. Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht in diesem Zusammenhang die nutzerzentrierte Gestaltung der Mensch-Computer Interkation (MCI) in soziotechnischen Systemen, damit sie den Nutzer bestmöglich und intuitiv unterstützt. In diesem Zusammenhang werden (a) die Integration der interdisziplinären Zusammenarbeit, die für die nutzerzentrierte Entwicklung benötigt wird, in den Entwicklungsprozess, (b) die nutzerzentrierte Erhebung von Anforderungen an die MCI, (c) die Gestaltung der MCI in soziotechnischen Systemen basierend auf den identifizierten Anforderungen und (d) die Evaluation soziotechnischer Systeme hinsichtlich der Erfüllung der Nutzeranforderungen untersucht. Durch die Erhebung von Anforderungen und Entwicklung von Gestaltungsprinzipien, Vorgehensmodellen und Prototypen sowie die rigorose Evaluation der Ergebnisse trägt die Dissertation zur gestaltungsorientierten Wirtschaftsinformatik bei und bietet der Praxis wertvolle Erkenntnisse über Nutzeranforderungen, Nutzungsverhalten und Gestaltungsprinzipien, die zur Realisierung und Verbesserung der MCI beitragen.

We have been working together with Triona AB to design a dashboard mock-up for their web application TNE Editor, so they can get a better overview of important information. A process with many steps is needed to gather information about Trionas customers, we want to reduce the number of these steps. Triona is an IT-consulting business. They primarily work with logistics and infrastructure organizations. Our goal was to develop an administrative dashboard for TNE Editor. A user centred design (UCD) approach was used. This was done by involving the users in the process from the beginning to determine what requirements the users had. A UCD methodology helps use valuate if they are satisfied with the design according to the usability requirement satisfaction. Our research questions were: How can a dashboard reduce the steps needed to gather statistical information of Trionas customers? By implementing design principles for a dashboard, will the users be satisfied with the dashboard design? We interviewed employees at Triona that use the TNE Editor and made a SWOT-analysis based on their answers. The results showed opportunities to implement different data about Trionas customers on a dashboard. Information like the activity trend the customers, proportion of accepted and rejected projects and common error messages. We designed a dashboard mock-up with the feedback from the interviewees together with design guidelines such as gestalt theory and information visualization theory. We have also taken usability and user experience principles into consideration to make the dashboard as efficient and user friendly as possible. The users of the TNE Editor generally seem pleased with the dashboard mock-up. However, there is still room for additional iterations to improve the design further. / Vi har samarbetat med Triona AB för att designa en dashboard prototyp för deras webbapplikation TNE Editor, så att de kan få en bättre översikt över viktig information. För att samla information om Trionas kunder så krävs en process med många steg, vi vill minska antalet steg i denna process. Triona är ett IT-konsultföretag som främst arbetar med logistik- och infrastrukturorganisationer. Vårt mål var att utveckla en administrativ instrumentpanel för TNE Editor. Vi använde oss av en användarcentrerad design (UCD)-metodik. Detta gjordes genom att involvera användarna i processen från början för att fastställa deras krav och behov. En UCD metodik hjälper oss även att utvärdera om de är nöjda med designen enligt usabilitykravet satisfaction. Våra forskningsfrågor var: Hur kan en dashboard minska antalet steg som behövs för att samla statistik om Trionas kunder? Genom att implementera design principer för en dashboard, kommer användarna bli nöjda med dashboard designen? Vi intervjuade anställda på Triona som använder TNE Editor och genomförde en SWOT-analys baserad på deras svar. Resultaten visade möjligheter att implementera olika data om Trionas kunder på en dashboard. Information som aktivitetstrender för kunderna, andel accepterade och avvisade projekt samt vanliga felmeddelanden. Vi designade en dashboard prototyp utifrån feedback från intervjupersonerna tillsammans med designriktlinjer såsom gestaltningsteori och teori för informationsvisualisering. Vi har även tagit hänsyn till principer för användbarhet och användarupplevelse för att göra dashboard så effektiv och användarvänlig som möjligt. Användarna av TNE Editor verkar generellt sett nöjda med prototypen för instrumentpanelen. Det finns dock fortfarande utrymme för ytterligare iterationer för att ytterligare förbättra designen.