Case Study: Color Schemes
Overview
Xenial POS is a portable, cloud-based POS that can be installed on an iPad and used anywhere. One of our clients primarily uses it outside, which created unique user issues.
The Problem
When the Xenial POS was in testing and discovery, it was always used in an indoor environment.
When users started frequently using it outdoors in direct sunlight, the problem emerged. IPad tablets have a highly reflective surface so the screen becomes very difficult to see. It is imperative that our POS is designed for user speed. Lack of visibility could impact speed, which is a concern.
Problem Statement:
How might we improve direct sunlight visibility and eliminate any negative impact to cashier speed?
The Research
Research Techniques
Information gathering through investigation of existing knowledge in the space and user testing.
- Peer Articles on Glare and Tablets
- We read about best practices for glare.
- We discovered ideas for glare reducing solarized themes.
- User Testing Methods
- We tested with 6 people in direct sunlight
- We timed them “pressing” buttons on each of the color schemes we prepared
- Each theme had the same products in randomized locations.
- We timed each user and asked which they found the easiest, most difficult.
- Results
- The Dark theme was the most difficult and was perceived as the most difficult.
- We found many participants had various forms of color blindness.
- The solarized was optimized according to peer research but it did not test well.
- We decided to go forward with the light theme.
The Solutions
A New Light Theme
- We used the feedback from research to develop an entire new color scheme for our system
- We also took the opportunity to create a AAA WCAG Contrast Ratio with new colors.
