Introduction
The sketch IO program is a program designed to be an easy to use digital sketchpad. The program is free to use for anyone who can access the internet, it is equipped with a variety of tools and settings for the tools provided. The Sketch IO program is supposed to be dynamic, simple, and serve multiple purposes for the user. However, when six students from Guttman Community College were asked to use the program for the first time there were some trends of confusion, frustration, and dissatisfaction with the Sketch IO program.
This analysis report will discuss the results and trends that appeared during a small usability test for Sketch IO’s ease of use when the user is using a mousepad and a touch screen enabled computer. The report will make a clear distinction between the two mediums and clarify which is easier while using Sketch IO. Lastly, the report will recommend how Sketch IO can improve their program for users to have a more satisfying experience through both mediums of use.
Note: A Screenshot of the Sketch IO program is pictured below, throughout the report the areas being tested vary from multiple tools on the sidebar and the tabs at the top of the sketchpad, as well as how the tools work on the white space (Sketchpad.)
Analysis of Pre-test Questions
Before the usability test took place, the six prospective users were given a small questionnaire that consisted of ten general questions about their level of computer experience and artistic abilities. This questionnaire was used to determine how many users considered themselves artistic and if their experience with computers and digital applications served a platform for how easy, it is to use the Sketch IO program. A brief analysis and summarization of results from the pre-test questionnaire are presented below.
As stated before, the pre-test questionnaire consisted of ten general questions. There were several trends found within the results from the pre-test questionnaire that displayed a significant correlation to how the users reacted to the Sketch IO program. It was found that a majority of the users tested, answered that they use a computer everyday however, only one user had been experienced in using a touch screen computer. It was also found that majority of users, four out of six, spend about 5 to 10 hours on class work every week (digitally) but on average spend around 6 to 12+ hours of their free time on the internet.
Results from the Pre-test questions also revealed an interesting group of answers from users when asked if drawing, sketching or painting is one of their hobbies. Three out of six users claimed that the artistic action had only been a hobby occasionally for them while, two users did not consider it a hobby at all and one user did consider the act of drawing, sketching or painting their personal hobby. When asked how artistic would the user label themselves on a scale of 1 to 10, five of six users circled numbers between 4 and 7 while, one user circled 10 as their level of artistic ability.
Lastly, results from the pre-test questions revealed that using Sketch IO would be the first time for two users while, three users had already been experienced in using digital applications that allowed them to sketch, draw, or paint. The majority of users were unaware as to what the Sketch IO program was and it would be their first time using the program with a mousepad and a touch screen computer. This information revealed that the majority of users before the test felt as though they were experienced with digital applications and confident in their computer experience.
Analysis of During Test Questions
After users completed their questionnaire, the usability test took place and consisted of three different sections. As I sat with each user, I gave the user a set of tasks to complete. Before completing these tasks I asked the user to answer two questions about the general layout and design of the Sketch IO Sketchpad. After answering the general questions, the user was asked to complete the set of tasks with the mousepad first, and then asked to complete the same tasks but using the touch screen instead of the mousepad in order to test how Sketch IO worked with different mediums.
General Layout and Design Results
The general layout and design answers revealed that the users approached the Sketch IO program with an open mind. Majority of the users stated that the Sketch IO program’s layout looked easy to use and simple, all of the users stated that the layout and design of the interface reminded them of the old Microsoft paint program, two users stated that it resembled the Photoshop and adobe fireworks as well. These answers built a foundation for the rest of the test and the way users approached the test because they felt like they had already experienced something to similar to Sketch IO, which made it an easier program to maneuver for some users whereas, for other users it was a frustrating process.
Mousepad Results
The users were asked to complete basic tasks with the mousepad such as draw any basic shape (circle, triangle, square, etc.) Then fill in the area of their shape with a tool of their choice. In addition to this, the users were asked to locate the eraser and erase the work they had completed. This was repeated for the Touch screen test, followed by four closing questions that included users’ overall thoughts on the program and an overall experience rating out of 10.
Results from the mousepad exercise displayed that five of six users had difficulty using the mousepad to draw their basic shape; majority of these users had trouble with aligning the sides and edges of their shapes correctly and maneuvering the cursor in the correct direction. These users had trouble with the mousepad and had to spend more time trying to move the cursor in the desired direction, causing some frustration and giving the action of drawing the shape an average rating of 7 out of 10 for ease of use with the mousepad.
Drawing the shape with the mousepad was reportedly amongst users one of the more difficult areas while filling in the shape with any tool was much easier for only a few users. A majority of users experienced malfunctions with some tools such as: stickers that did not appear in the correct size or area on the first click. The paintbrush/streamer tool that had a default stroke size unexpectedly large for most users, and the paint bucket tool that mislead users to think it would paint over a specific area but instead painted the entire sketchpad. One major malfunction was the delayed feedback from the Sketch IO program when the user tried to fill in their shape with a specific tool or when the user tried to erase something. Dealing with these malfunctions caused a majority of users to become frustrated with the program and dissatisfied with the response of the program. Once, the program did begin responding users were a little more satisfied however, the frustrations tainted their experience while filling in their shape with the mousepad. This action was given an average rating of 5 out of 10 for the ease of use with the tools and the mousepad.
Touch Screen Results
As stated before, users were asked to use two different mediums. Using a touch screen enabled computer was one of the required mediums, they were also asked to complete the same tasks discussed in the previous sections. The results varied greatly from those of the mousepad exercise displaying different trends within the touch screen exercise.
Results from the touch screen exercise revealed that the dissatisfaction that users were experiencing with the mousepad disappeared in some areas with the touch screen. Five out of the six users tested claimed at the end of test that they would prefer to use the touch screen while interacting with the Sketch IO program because it allowed more freedom and less frustration. During the first task, users were asked to draw any basic shape with their finger on the touch screen, all users claimed that they liked the touch screen and that it made the task more fun and easier. One user stated that the touch screen was easier to use because of its freedom but it also did not allow much room for precision. When users were asked to complete the second task, answers became more common, almost all users claimed that using the touch screen to fill in their shape was easier, allowed more freedom, was fun, and the best part. While one user stated that using the touch screen to fill in their shape was frustrating because they could not see with their finger in the way and they could not be very precise so their shape was not filled in correctly. Overall, the ease of use rating for this task was 8 out of 10.
When users were asked to locate the eraser and use the erase to erase their work, answers became more diverse here. Many users experienced an enormous amount of frustration with locating the eraser because it was not on the sidebar with the other tools; it was at the top with the tabs. In addition to this, many users experienced more confusion than expected because the checkerboard pattern that appears when the eraser is being used. One user stated that the checkerboard pattern makes it difficult to understand what exactly was happening while; another user state that the checkerboard pattern was actually helpful because it allowed them to see what was being erased. One major issue with the eraser was the delayed feedback, once the eraser had been dragged across the screen, it would take a few seconds to begin erasing, and the checkerboard pattern would stay stuck on the screen. This caused an enormous amount of confusion and frustrated for almost all of the users as it happened with every task, giving this action an overall rating of 4 out of 10.
Closing Question Results
After completing all tasks on the usability test, users were given four questions to answer about their overall experience with the Sketch IO program. The closing questions revealed that three out of the six users were satisfied with their experience despite the malfunctions, frustration, and confusion. These users claimed that they would use the program again, but if they had a stylus and a touch screen enabled computer their experience would be better. While the other half of users claimed they would not use the program again at all because they found that it was not for their kind of work, did not interest them, caused too much frustration, and was a little childish. Five out of six users claimed that they would recommend Sketch IO to someone else because it is fun and has cool features, and it is also a good alternative to a more expensive program or a physical sketchpad. Overall, the average rating for Sketch IO by users was 8.5 out 10 for it’s ease of use.
Common Trends in Results
It is clear that there were some trends within the Sketch IO usability test results. Some common trends within these results include the delayed feedback of the Sketch IO program, the difficulty, and frustration of using a mousepad with the program, the misleading default sizes of certain tools, the confusion with where tools are located, the confusion with the default colors of sketch IO, and the checkerboard pattern of the eraser tool.
Some positive trends found within the results are how basic and easy the Sketch IO program is to use, the ease of access that Sketch IO provides for users, how fun and creative the program is, and the familiar design and layout of the program creates a feeling of comfort and experience for users.
How efficient is Sketch IO After All?
From the results and composition of this usability test, it is clear that Sketch IO is efficient in certain areas and inefficient in other areas. For example, Sketch IO is efficient in creating a design and layout that is familiar to most college students, which eliminates the feeling of being intimidated by a program that has unfamiliar and foreign features. The Sketch IO program is efficient in providing a program that is free for all ages and has many creative elements that all users can benefit and become inspired by. The Sketch IO program also is efficient in using and designing icons that resemble and symbolizes real life objects, eliminating most confusion for users. The Sketch IO Program also excels in giving their users options when creating, saving, or uploading any images.
However, the Sketch IO program does not excel in providing fats feedback on particular tools. The program does not offer a tutorial for first time users of the product. The sketch IO program does not provide the user will instructions on how to use a particular tool or what to do with certain features. The Sketch IO program does not provide a place for frequently asked questions or a “live chat” area where a user could go for help. This may cause a user to become overwhelmed by the frustration of the delayed response of tools and the odd default settings, causing users to exit out of using the program and not use it again.
Recommendation for the Sketch IO Program
Some small but helpful recommendations for the Sketch IO program would be to update their software to a more efficient and responsive software for the use of their tools. The Program should also consider putting a help icon somewhere on the page or on the sidebar. The program should consider giving a tutorial for users who enter the page and giving the option to exit out of that tutorial for returning users. The Sketch IO program should also make the default sizes of certain tools more visible to some users for the benefit of eliminating frustration and confusion.