kar:
kar is an electronic reading device which relocates the reading experience to digital world. It is not only a user friendly tablet but also a part of a social platform which is designed for specifically readers.
Project Advisor: UTRLAB
Project Aim:
The aim is to improve the reading experience and eliminate the negations while providing the same reading habits and expectations. The project aims to offer a device which is suitable for long time use and provide a better communication between users and itself.
PROJECT STATEMENT
The aim of this project is to create a device and a social platform for readers. I wanted them to have the same experience that they have with traditional printed books and offer even a better solution with the same usability and more features that they would adapt.
Therefore, this project aims to offer the same/similar features with digital books that printed books already have and offer new features that printed books cannot offer. The aim is to create a social platform for readers for not only read but also communicate and interact with the device and other users.
PRINTED BOOKS
DIGITAL BOOKS
Stores
Online shopping
BUY
Online store
Book content
Book content
READ
Additional info about the book
Additional info about the author
Extras
Giving as a gift
Borrowing
SHARE
Giving as a gift
Libraries
Circle of friends
People online
CRITICISE
Circle of friends
Community members
NUMBERS OF STUDY
5
5 different e-readers were examined at the beginning of the project. From well known brands like kindle and nook to lesser known ones in different screen sizes and features, a wide range comparison was made.
8 prototypes were prepared for user tests with different screen sizes and ratios. It is planned for finding the best size for reading and carrying all day.
8
30
A survey was created with 30 questions. The aim was to find out the habits and expectations of users related to e-readers and their accessories.
At the design stage, 46 pages of sketches used from low to high-fidelity.
46
189
189 users participated to user survey. With elective and open-ended questions they were able to describe their experience and expectations.
RESEARCH
BENCHMARK
I started with a research of e-readers on the market. I could find 57 different devices from 19 producers and prepared a chart of their features. I examined them in 15 criteria.
This study showed me which functions are essential and which are slightly important. Also it shows that in which features could be improved and offered a better solution for users.
The aim is to identify what is offered for users, the variety of features and which functions are essential and are offered by most of them.
PRODUCT COMPARISON
A step further of the benchmark, I also had a research on product comparison. I chose 5 e-readers from well-known products like kindle and nook to lesser known but different physical features, services and offers.
This comparison mainly focused on the pros and cons of these devices and user reviews (if available), while I also identified their technical details. I wanted to find out why a user would or would not choose these devices, which features are essential in decision making.
This study showed that every device focused on a different aspect of use. The idea is to identify a need or a problem with the user experience and provide a better solution or a new feature that meets user expectation.
USER SURVEY
Although digital books are not well known by the vast majority, there are still thousands of readers that prefer to use e-readers and e-books. Also there are several different online groups and platforms on the internet.
I wanted to reach those people and understand their needs and expectations from an e-reader and e-books.
I specifically aimed people who are already familiar e-books and e-readers because the aim of the project is to create a platform for e-book readers.
I prepared a survey with 30 questions in 5 categories; personal information, reading habits, e-book habits, e-reader experience and overall usage and views.
I could reach 189 people in total and received valuable info about users and user experience.
Some of the results were useful for which features to focus on and the survey gave a general idea of who the target users are.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
AGE
0-18
18-24
24-30
30-40
40+
STATUS
Student
Working
Retired
EDUCATION
High School
Bachelor
Master
E-BOOK HABITS
Do you use an e-reader?
Yes
No
Did you have any adaptation problem?
Yes
No
Which types of books do you prefer?
Printed books
e-books
Both
READING HABITS
How often do you read?
Bimonthly
Monthly
Biweekly
Weekly
When do you read?
On vacations
At the
weekends
Weekdays
at nights
Weekdays
at noons
Where do you read?
On holidays
At work
or school
In public
transports
At home
E-READER EXPERIENCE
What is the reason for using a cover?
Protection of device from scratches
Holding the device more easily
I don't use one
For aesthetic purposes
Holding the device still on the table
What would you like to do with your e-reader?
Change the fonts
Listen to audio books
Connect to the internet
Connect to my sim card
Play games
USER TESTS
Although user survey provides reliable data due to high number of users, it has only multiple choice questions and it could only give a general idea about the topic. To collect more details about the user experience, I had several interviews with people who reads regularly.
But first, I had to prepare prototypes in different shapes and sizes. An addition to reading experience, I wanted to know their expectations related to device.
LONG TERM USER TESTS
After the user test sessions, I noticed that users use these devices or traditional books differently from other mobile devices like mobile phones or tablets. Reading session might be up to several hours and this type of usage requires different kind of user test.
As a result, I gave one of the prototypes to two users to test in in their homes or any other places where they read and expected them to give a feedback about their experience.
They used the prototypes like a real e-reader and tried to describe the experience they had, their issues and expectations.
DESIGN
INITIAL IDEAS
After the research phase, I started sketching with several ideas. In every sketch I tried to find a solution for an issue or an improvement for a better experience.
ERGONOMICS
After the research with several methods and long term feedbacks, I noticed that there is a special need for e-readers. Because users would use their devices for a long time and they have to interact frequently to turn the pages, it requires a design accordingly.
Therefore, the design of the device and its interface have to be suitable for the reading experience. Additional buttons at one side for functions which are frequently used are located.
What is more, the most commonly used button, next page, is located just under the thumb to provide flawless reading experience.
INTERFACE
The interface of the device is a significant part of its design. I aimed to create an interface integrated with the physical design of the device.
Because of the users' habits, most used part of the screen is the right half. Therefore there are two main sections at home page and other several pages. It provides an easy access to most commonly used sections and displays two different menus at once.
What is more, I prepared a demo to show the audience at the final presentation what the main features are, how they could use the device and other key features. To see more details about the demo and a link to test it, you can check the prototype page.
DEVICE
Although this is basically a tablet, there are several issues to improve due to its unique usage. Users would hold the device for long hours and that kind of scenario requires a better design to keep the comfort as long as possible.
In front, There is a wider frame for function buttons that are commonly used. The reason behind is that people would like to use the screen as a book and see only the content. These buttons are located just under the thumb as expected.
Touchscreen is for only adjustments and navigations. While reading all you see is what the author wants you to see.
At back, device has a unique design with its body. There are two asymmetrical angled sections that to be hold easier ergonomically.
In addition, this two angled design is integrated with the interface. Home page and other several commonly used sections are design as two columns with the same width of those two angled sections.
In this way, while users are holding the device they would also see those angled sections on screen and have a completed experience.
Interface integrated
double column design
Home
Top menu
Previous page
Next page
Bottom menu
The triangle shape of human hand is implemented on the body. This unique design ensures a better experience on long hours of use.
SCANNER
The aim of the project is to move readers to the e-book world. To be able to do that, e-book platform has to offer convenience on common needs. One of them is book search.
Although digital library offers thousands of books and provides a search function, it may not be easy all the time. Due to longer response times of e-ink screens, searching might take longer than desired.
To minimise this friction, there is a scanner at the back of the device to scan barcodes. When a barcode is scanned, digital version of the book is searched and displayed.
Therefore, users would be able to see the details of that book and purchase if they want to.
Additionally, search might be done by the ISBN also. Instead of writing a long name of a book or an author, a shorter ISBN could be used.
INTEGRATED CASE
One of the findings from research was that considerable number of users prefer to use a case with their devices. I saw this finding as an opportunity and wanted to create an integrated case for the device.
E-readers have mechanical screens that ink pixels which moves only the page changed. Which means, if the page do not change, nothing happens on the screen and there would be no energy consumption.
The case design has a window for its social platform feedback and news feed. Because of the e-ink technology it is always on without any power consumption and users are able to check latest news without opening the cover.
FINAL PRESENTATION
At the end of the project, I had a presentation of my design to all my professors and instructors from department of Industrial Design, my project advisors from UTRLAB, guest professors from other departments and many other advisors of other projects and guests.
After a summary of the design process and features of the new design, I handed out the prototypes to audience to make them experience the new design. At the end I was able to answer their questions to make sure that everything is clear.
