An Explorative Design Study of a Booking System : Evaluating the Usability and Experience of a User Interface for Novice Admin Users

Abstract: This study explored how the UI of booking sunbeds could be designed to be efficient and effective while being satisfactory to use for novice admin users of the system. Personas were created through a workshop that together with visual heuristics helped drive the design of an initial paper prototype that was evaluated with users. Iterating the design of the paper prototype, a hi-fi prototype was created using Adobe XD. The hi-fi prototype was evaluated using a task-based usability test with seven participants who provided quantitative data of time spent per task and number of clicks required, and qualitative data through a SUS questionnaire along with semi-structured interviews. The prototype was effective and efficient while scoring a high 90 points on the SUS scale. Qualitative data from the participants indicated that the inclusion of transitions and transformation in the UI helped create a playful experience and a system that was perceived to be easy to learn and use. The results and data of evaluating the prototype can help future designers of systems account for transitions and transformations earlier in the design process that could improve the overall usability for novice users in general.