The Notecard Test

I have begun designing my website. Yes, the ACTUAL design. However, it may not be in a format most of you are expecting. In fact, my method does not require the use of a computer. Based on advice given from an Instructional Design teacher, from the IU Education Department, I have decided to utilize 3X5 notecards as my initial design facilitator. How does this work, you ask?

The process:

1) Write the header for each heading/tab you plan to create for your site
I will be using the following headings: Home, Portfolio, About Me, and Contact

2) Include the navigation options from each heading
Be sure that each heading has an option to go "Home," and any other obvious navigation options

3) Have a couple of people attempt to navigate through your "site"
Should there be a need for a new heading, add another notecard

4) Continue this process until you feel confident that your website is "user-friendly" and navigable

So far I have had five people attempt to navigate my site. There have been a few corrections needed, such as: clearly defining subheadings, making additional options from each page clear, and indicating the type of information that will be found on each page. I plan to test the notecards on five more people before moving on to phase two of the test.

Phase two will require me to draw a mock up of each page on the notecards. This will allow my testers to see what the interface will look like, which will demonstrate how visual navigation will occur. Many of my survey results will come into play with this phase, in terms of: placement, graphics, balance and composition, etc.

This notecard process is the first of many tests I plan on using to help uncover the ease and usability of my website. I will keep you posted!