In his book “Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do”, B. J. Fogg discusses credibility as being a key attribute to evaluate online resources. It is extremely important that we, as students, understand how important this factor is and how it can affect us in our studies because in today’s world, the internet is arguable the most common used source for research.

GNC Web Creations (http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/website-credibility.htm, Retrieved October 2009) help to explain what should be included in your own personal website to gain credibility; however, you could also take this into account when assessing the credibility of a found website. It is important for us as students to be able to trust the websites we use by looking out for things such as logos of the company, professionalism within the website and contact information so we know the website is credible, and appropriate to use.

Many students rely on the internet as their main source of research for assignments. We need to able to trust these sites we use, especially if we are making a bold statement from something found on the internet.

Fogg, B. J. (2003). Credibility and the World Wide Web. In Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do. Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.

Walker, J. [n.d.] “Website Credibility: Instilling Credibility in Your Website”. Retrieved October 2009, from the site http://www.gnc-web-creations.com/website-credibility.htm

Question 2.

Throughout this Learning Portfolio, Wikipedia is not accepted as a resource for our research. Quite simply, this is because Wikipedia is in my opinion, one of the most untrustworthy websites available for general use.

Any member of the general public can edit information found on Wikipedia, leaving it open to differing opinions, biased postings and wrong information regarding facts. It is easy to find any information needed on Wikipedia, basically because anyone can go on and start a new topic. Using this website as a resource for research is dangerous to students who rely on the internet as their main source of findings, because the majority of the time, you will most probably be given incorrect information.

Question 3.

Issues that may affect a users’ perception of Web credibility:

• Background research. If there is extensive proof of the website producers having references for the information they have gained, then the website can be considered credible. However, if all the sites given are that of presumed credibility, the site would be deemed untrustworthy and not credible in the slightest.
• Pop-ups and advertisements. If there are endless pop-ups and advertisements throughout a website then it can only be considered credible on the surface. There is probably not alot of useful information relevent to your search, therefore not much help in your work.
• Usability. If a Website is easy to use can it be considered as a trustworthy site or a cheap production which has been put together by amateurs and really won’t help you in your studies?

Lazar, J. Meiselwitz, G. & Feng, J. [n.d.] “Understanding Web Credibility: A Synthesis of the Research Literature”. Retrived October 2009, from the site http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/32639882/Understanding-Web-Credibility-A-Synthesis-of-the-Research-Literature

Fogg, B. J. [n.d.] “What Makes Websites Credible?A Report on a Large Quantative Study”. Retrived October 2009, from the site http://tc.eserver.org/34724.html

Activity 1.

Presumed Credibility:
Wikipedia is most probably the website with the most presumed credibility. Many people use it for research forgetting that anyone can go in and edit the information available to the public.

Reputed Credibility:
The BBC website is an extremely well known site, winning awards and being very commonly used all over the world. By having links to this site on other well known sites and displaying awards it may have won, it makes it have reputed credibility.

Surface Credibility:
If a website looks attractive many people will assume that it is credible. Factors such as taking a long time to download because of all the graphics used within the site or having links to more ‘exclusive’ websites add to the fact of it being credible only on the surface.

Earned Credibility:
There are few genuine websites out there which actually should have seals of credibility. If they provide a quick response to the topic you are informing about, is organised in a simple manner or has other stories relevant to the topic you are searching it is showing it’s earned credibility.

Activity 2.

Assignment 1 -Creative Report.

Assignment 2 – Presentation Design.

Week 3 Work – Caricature.

Week 8 Work – First attempt at website using Dreamweaver.

After reading the chapter “Performance Load” from “Universal Principles of Design” (Lidwell, W. Holden, K. and Butler, J. 2003) I have realised that the intended ‘load’ is the mental and physical activity required in achieving a goal. In order to achieve this goal you need to put in the mental work; cognitive load; which consists of problem solving, memory skills and perception. You also need to put in physical activity; kinematic load; which consists of movement or the amount of force which you put into solving the given problem.

As technology is progressing so is the performance load within these new products. The examples given in the chapter are that of the new and improved car keys. No longer needing to physically put the key into the door to unlock, you can simply push a button to unlock all four doors and another if you wanted to open the boot. Another example would be barcodes on products. Without barcodes every item for sale would need a price tag or some form of letting the cashier know how much it costs. By simply scanning the bar code all the information for the product comes up on the cashier’s screen.

John Sweller describes the cognitive load as sometimes not helping with the end products at all. (Cognitive Load During Problem Solving: Effects on Learning. 1988) He claims that sometimes you only need the kinematic load in order to solve a problem, as thinking about it too much can only cause more of a problem. Actively doing things to solve the problem can sometimes work just as well, and sometimes for the better.

Lidwell, W. Holden, K. & Butler, J. (2003). Performance Load. In Universal Principles of Design. Massachusetts: Rockport.

Sweller, J. (1998). Cognitive Load During Problem Solving: Effects on Learning. University of New South Wales.

Question 2.

When the authors of “Performance Load” refer to ‘chunking’ information to reduce cognitive load it is simply the task of categorizing the information into more manageable sizes. If there is a lot of information to get through for one single product, by putting it all into different categories or ‘chunks’ the manufacturers will find it a lot easier to find what they are looking for in regards to the product at hand. This technique helps reduce confusion and makes problem solving a much easier task.

In relation to design and visual communication we can relate back to Gestalt’s Law of Proximity. In this, it is stated that “we perceive objects as well-organized patterns rather than separate component parts” (http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Articles/visualperc1/start.htm, Retrieved October 2009). This is very similar to the chunking method described in “Performance Load” except, as visual artists and designers we work in patterns.

Dempsey, Dr. J. V. [n.d.] “Cognitive Load Theory”. Retrieved October 2009, from the site http://usaoll.org/iddtheorywb/htmlcognitiveload/implications.htm

Pedroza, C. [n.d.]. “Visual Perception: Gestalt Laws”. Retrieved October 2009, from the site http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Articles/visualperc1/start.htm

Question 3.

The idea that a study in psychology will help aid your design work is really not necessary. The authors of “Performance Load” could very well come from a psychological background, hence the references to the cognitive and kinematic load. My personal opinion is that if you have an interest in design, then you should pursue it. A study of psychology is definitely not necessary unless you want to look more into the philosophical side of design, something which I’m sure not many people want to go into. If they want a career in design, the majority of the time it will be hands on.

Item 2 – Activity

These three examples of products found in our every day surrounding correspond with the design principle of Performance Load. There is instant recognition with each product as to how to use it. Only our common sense is needed to work the product, there are no difficult instructions and confusion surrounding as to what it does and how it works. For example; the lightswitch. With our common knowledge, we know that you need to switch it to turn the light on and off. No matter the design, you will most likely know how to work a lightswitch. Another; the buttons on a remote. From a young age we can distinguish the ‘play’, ‘stop’ and ’pause’ buttons on a remote control, needing no instruction as we grow older and technology develops to understand which button to press to gain the correct function. Finally; the car immobiliser. With the simple diagram of a lock being closed and then open we can distinguish that this button will infact, unlock or lock your car. It is only common sense that is needed in order to take on the Performance Load of a product.

• Design

Apparently design is something which is not that important when showing a presentation. In ‘Presentations in the “Conceptual Age”’, Garr Reynolds describes design as “…nice, but not mission-critical.” (Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, 2008). I somewhat agree with what is being said because if there is too much focus on what surrounds the information in a presentation, the viewers are going to be distracted and they lose focus on the matter at hand.

• Story

The story of the presentation is basically the facts, information or data included within. According to Debbie Bailey, author of “Creative Presentation Openers That Work – How To Capture Your Audience’s Undivided Attention” (2009) in order to capture your audience’s attention you need to make the presentation appealing from the very beginning, with openers such as a rhetorical question, a startling statistic or even a humorous anecdote. This also links back to the Portfolio Item reading where Reynolds says that putting your “own personality, character and experiences into the material” (Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, 2008), will help to keep the audience focused and interested in what you have to say.

• Symphony

To create symphony within a presentation you must have relationships between the topics and thinking whether or not they are important enough to be told to the audience. According to Reynolds, “The best presenters can illuminate the relationships that we may not have seen before.” (Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, 2008).

• Empathy

With empathy, you need to include the skill of being able to think as if you were the audience. Sure, you may find something in your presentation interesting, but if the majority of the audience will lose focus over it, then it would be a part which should be reconsidered.

• Play

“In public speaking situations playfulness and humour can go a long way toward making a presentation palatable.” (Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, 2008). Reynolds again is making a good quality point in improving your presentation. If you were to stand at the front of your audience and read from palm cards, it would not be nearly as exciting and enticing as if you were to engage with your audience and even involve them in the presentation.

• Meaning

Every presentation must have a meaning behind it; otherwise there would be no point in making the presentation in the first place. You obviously want to share something with your audience for you to be there in the first place, and if it is something you feel passionate about and others need to know, then you need to get your point across in a meaningful manner.

Bailey, D. [n.d.] “Creative Presentation Openers That Work – How To Capture Your Audience’s Undivided Attention”. Retrieved October 2009, from the site http://www.videoprofessor.com/resourcelibrary/presentationskills/presentationaudienceattention.html

Reynolds, G. [n.d.] “Presentation Zen: The “Fish Story” and conscious reduction of the nonessential”. Retrieved October 2009, from the site http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2006/04/the_fish_story.html

Impact Factory – Empathy [n.d.] Retrived October 2009, from the site http://www.impactfactory.com/p/empathy_skills_training/snacks_1141-11104-92862.html

Reynolds, G. (2008). Presentations in “The Conceptual Age”. In Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. Berkeley, CA: New Riders.

Question 2.

My presentation from Assignment Two, most probably does not meet all of the six aptitudes described in Garr Reynolds chapter in “Presentation Zen”. I created the presentation from an informative point of view for dramatic effect and shocking the parents of Australia’s overweight children. Therefore there is most probably not a lot of ‘play’ involved with my presentation!

Design is something which was quite important in my presentation as I needed to grab the viewers’ attention and keep them focused on the matter at hand. Also, with an interest in design, it was definitely something which would be incorporated into my work. I wasn’t going to submit a piece of work which was plain and boring, as this is something I would not produce.

My presentation most definitely has a story involved. It may not seem as apparent as reading a book but there is one there. By giving facts and figures throughout the presentation I have succeeded in shocking the readers as to what could become of their children if they do not take the matter of childhood obesity seriously.

Each slide is relative to the subject matter and they all flow in the order I intended. Symphony has been created by the smooth running through the presentation and keeping the reader’s interested in the content.

I think that empathy was used when I put this presentation together as I have tried to look at it as if I were a parent. I would want to know the facts about childhood obesity and I would want to try and prevent my child from getting to the stage where he or she would be described as ‘obese’.

Meaning is an obvious part of my presentation as this was one of the main factors behind it. We had to show we knew what we were talking about throughout, and we had to have a means for creating the presentation. My intended mean was to let parents know about the risks of childhood obesity and to prevent them from letting their children get that far.

Item 2 – Activity

The main changes I have made to my presentation are that of the ‘design’ aptitude. I played with some of the slides layout, changed the main colour to match that of the Creative Report, and cut out any information not relevant to a presentation. If this were to be presented you would expand on the slides and put back in the information while giving your talk.

According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary (1982), aesthetics “belong to the appreciation of the beautiful; having such appreciation; in accordance with principles of good taste.” This simple explanation is simply in accordance to that of the given article on aesthetics. This topic is most definitely something which is important in the manufacture of new products and the improvement of old ones.

Not only is aesthetics used with products, but can also be relevant to art; my discipline area.  Professor Severyn T. Bruyn writes that …”art is based on what is pleasing to the senses…” (Art and Aesthetics, 2002), something of which I carry the same opinion. If art is not ‘pleasing’ to look at, then no one will want to look at it. If a product is not attractive to the customer, then they are not going to purchase it. James W. Manns is another author who describes art as a form of aesthetics. In his book ‘Explorations in Philosophy: Aesthetics’ he calls aesthetics an “obstacle” because of the demands which are given when commissioning a piece of work. (1998)

When the authors of Aesthetic-Usability Effect write “Always aspire to create aesthetic designs”(Universal Principles of Design, 2003), surely this is something which would be seen as common sense to most designers. They want their product to sell, so one of the first things to take into account would be the attractiveness and usability of the product.

All in all, I agree with what is being said in this article, yet most of it does seem like common sense to me. If I were to design a product then it would need to be attractive to look at, and easy to use otherwise it simply will not be a success. Surely designers who have been in the industry for many years will already know this and would have been putting it into practice for the span of their careers.

Question 2.

Kettle
Depending on the style of kettle you may have, you would have bought it depending on aesthetics. You would have wanted it to be attractive because it is something which would most probably be on show in your kitchen all day, every day. As well as looking good, they also serve a purpose, and are very simple to use. They most definitely fit the aesthetic-usability effect principle.

Phones
Whether it is a mobile phone or your house phone, aesthetics most definitely comes into action when choosing which one you will purchase. Similar to the kettle, a house phone will always be on display, so the attractiveness of the product is something which matters. You carry your mobile phone around with you, hence the name ‘mobile’ so again, you would want it to be somewhat attractive to the eye. House phones are most certainly easy to use, but with mobile phones, the more technologically minded you are, the easier you will find the newer models to use. With added buttons and applications on newer mobile phones, the ‘older generation’ may find difficulties in usability.

TV Remote
There isn’t really much choice when you receive a television remote as they will often come with your chosen television. Therefore it is up the product manufacturer to make sure the remote is attractive to the buyer. As well as being striking to the owner, it must have easy usability. Most remotes are simple to use with names above or on the buttons as to what function they carry out and therefore successful in meeting the aesthetic-usability principle.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary (Seventh Edition). (1982). Oxford University Press, United Kingdom.

Manns, J. W. (2002). Explorations in Philosophy: Aesthetics. M. E. Sharpe Inc. New York.

Bruyn, Prof. S. T. [n.d.] “Art and Aesthetics”. Retrieved October 2009 from the site: http://www2.bc.edu/~bruyn/Theoretical.html