User Interview

Using the ethnography techniques I was taught during the Human Factors course I interviewed a user participant to find out about her arthritis condition so that I could better understand how to design for people with a dexterity condition. I also presented the original energy device to her and asked her to think out loud as she got oriented with the device.

User Information

Name: Elizabeth
Age: 70
Condition: Arthritis
Occupation: Retired

Insights

• The severity of her conditions varies day to day
• Symptoms are also variable between hands
• Any thumb movement is painful on a bad day
• Her middle finger on her stronger right hand suffers from subluxations 
• Grip and precision movements are difficult
• Her touch is too heavy and not sensitive enough to use touch screen devices

Initial Device Insights

• The buttons are too small and too close together
• Chunky handles afford her the most grip
• The orientation of the buttons makes them difficult to use

Elizabeth had to stretch her thumbs to reach the buttons whilst holding the device still because it slides on the surface due to pushing away from the body. This looked very awkward and uncomfortable for her.