Figure 1: Original Logo created in Figma
Objective:
This case study aimed to improve the usability and accessibility of the Fishing Education Colorado website, an educational platform providing information on fly fishing locations in Colorado. The project aimed to create a user-friendly website aligned with Jakob Nielsen's usability heuristics and catered to beginner anglers and experienced veterans.
Project Overview:
The case study involved an eight-week sprint, encompassing two rapid guerilla tests and four formal usability tests. The standard test plan drew inspiration from Carol M. Barnum's "Usability Testing Essentials" and followed the 5Es of the Usability framework. Two personas, Emily Johnson and John Smith, were created to understand and empathize with the target user base. The usability testing identified the need for an "Education" section, additional educational tools, and real-time data integration from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Post-test questionnaires revealed positive feedback, while suggestions were made to explore graphical visualizations for teaching users.
Key Findings and Recommendations:
- Prioritize redesigning the website to include a clear section about fishing tackle, including information on flies, rods, lines, and other essentials for fly fishing.
- Develop an API to integrate real-time river stream and weather data from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to enhance user experience.
- Associate the website with state entities to inform users about fishing licenses and clarify state fishing rules and regulations.
- Develop an API to integrate real-time river stream and weather data from Colorado Parks and Wildlife to enhance user experience.
- Associate the website with state entities to inform users about fishing licenses and clarify state fishing rules and regulations.
Abstract:
This abstract presents an executive summary of a usability case study that examined the effectiveness of a prototype website application created using Figma. The study involved a series of usability tests conducted on the Fishing Education Colorado website, which evolved from a low-fidelity clickable wireframe into its final form as the prototype. The usability testing focused on enhancing overall accessibility, usability, and functionality, guided by principles outlined in Carol M. Barnum's book, "Usability Testing Essentials: Ready Set ... Test!" The key objective was to develop an educational portal to teach users about fish tackle and local fishing laws and regulations. The report also highlights successful testing approaches, such as empathizing with potential users through Persona creation and utilizing User Journey Maps during brainstorming. The findings underscore the significant impact of usability testing and design on website or product development.
Analysis of the post-task and post-test questionnaires:
The feedback received from the post-task and post-test questionnaires was overwhelmingly positive, indicating that users liked the website's design and found it easy to navigate. However, there was a common theme among users expressing a desire for more information. To address this, further testing and exploration are recommended to understand the specific areas in which users want additional details. One potential solution is interviewing specific anglers and using simplified graphical visualizations to educate users effectively. Figure 2 below represents the original changes that need to be from the 1st and second iterations of the wireframe to the current status of the wireframe represented in Figure 3.
Figure 2: Original Wireframe with highlighted changed after testing
Further Recommendations:
Based on the findings from usability testing and user feedback, several key recommendations are proposed to enhance the Colorado Fishing Education website:
Continued Development: The website should be built into a fully functional platform to serve as a comprehensive resource for fly fishing enthusiasts in Colorado.
Database Integration: Implementing a database to link river and weather data from Colorado Parks and Wildlife is crucial. This real-time data integration will enrich the user experience, helping anglers make informed decisions about fishing locations.
Fishing Education Section: Enhance the website by including a dedicated section on fishing education. This section should highlight essential tools, tackle information, and laws and regulations related to fishing in Colorado, catering to both beginners and experienced anglers.
Consider a Broader Name: To appeal to a wider audience beyond Colorado, consider renaming the website to "Western Fishing Education" or "Fly-Fishing Education of the West." This rebranding could attract a broader clientele interested in fishing across the Western United States.
Wrap Up:
The Fishing Education Colorado website usability testing demonstrated the importance of user-centric design and usability principles in building an effective educational platform for fishing enthusiasts. Recommendations were provided to enhance the website further, including the addition of educational resources and real-time data integration. By considering these findings and incorporating user feedback, the website can become a valuable resource for anglers in Colorado and beyond.
Figure 4: AlternativeColorado Fishing Education Logo created in Figma
