Visualising interactive graphics design for testing with users

Abstract

The Ozlab set-up used in this study is intended to facilitate performance tests at a conceptual stage in the development of interactive multimedia products. Ozlab facilitates manual simulations of the interactivity of proposed user interfaces, thereby simplifying testing and making the development of ideas during test runs possible. Even non-programmers can perform these activities. The paper reports on a pilot study within the efforts currently taking place concerning educationalists focusing on language disabilities, where the clients could benefit from graphical support in interactive teaching aids. Ozlab extends the traditional, linguistically- based Wizard-of-Oz technique for manual prototyping to graphical interaction. The pilot study indicates that a refined Ozlab could be used by inexperienced designers for testing their own ideas. The fact that requirements of interactivity thus can be visualised by laymen will have implications for the design of requirements specification for multimedia products.