DIGITAL UX
Google overall has some pretty nice and useful features throughout the search engine. Often when I’m trying to do a quick search, Google often populates the top search results into an interactive graphic or a simple text box. These graphics are pretty simple overall and give quite a lot of information within them. Because these results populate at the very top, it draws your attention quite quickly especially since they are boxed off into these round rectangle that contrast with the unbound results underneath them.
If you type in a question, usually Google will post the top result and have the main part of the answer bolded or in a bigger font with the source link at the bottom. By putting the results at the top, it saves the user from having to scroll and click through all the links. Google also gives suggestions if you’ve made a spelling error in your search, or if it can’t find anything with those specific keywords.
Not only that but it will give you more information on the right hand side in another box if you want to learn more about what you searched (it’s usually populated information from Wikipedia).
With the experience being so easy and quick, it gives a sense of immediate satisfaction in getting the answer straight away without the hassle of going back and forth between pages. It’s easy to remember how to use it because there is only one input box that leads to loads of information almost instantly.
PHYSICAL UX
My roommates and I frequently use this rice cooker for our meals, and it’s another example of a good user experience. Even the first time I used it, the rice cooker was rather approachable and easy to use. The button to open the lid is very distinct both in its color and shape which indicates that it is something of importance.
The dashboard of the rice cooker seems fairly simple with only three necessary buttons on the front, one to start cooking, one to set a timer if necessary, and one to indicate that it is keeping the rice warm.
The front also opens up, indicated by a slight notch on both sides, to see more cooking options and to set a more precise timer.
Each button is clearly indicated with words and each button press is accompanied by a beep, though not the most pleasant sound, gives the user feedback that they indeed pressed a button.
There is also a little arrow when the “Menu” button is pressed to indicate which setting is selected. When the rice is done cooking, it beeps to indicate that it is done. The simplicity of the set up, a small screen and a few buttons, makes it fairly simple to learn how to use and limits the number of choices the user has to make which makes the process of cooking rice quick and less stressful. It is also quite efficient because after putting the bowl of uncooked rice and water in, the rice will start cooking after a few button presses and all there is left to do is wait. It anticipates mistakes with a cancel button in which you can cancel both the timer and the cook if you wish. It’s quite satisfying to hear that beep, knowing that when you open it up again you will see a nice bowl of steaming rice. Yum :3