The Microwave
How the functionality and interface of a microwave can be redesigned to optimize its usability.
Role:
Researcher and designer
Category:
Kitchen appliance
When:
2.5 weeks
Why:
Course project
What:
Microwave
Where:
Vancouver, Canada
Why I made this project
This project was part of the UX unit of my graphic design course. I was intrigued by this assignment as it helped me consider the value of user experience beyond just mobile apps and websites. User experience is vital and omnipresent in almost every product or service, the microwave included. While applying the same design process, this assignment encouraged me to think beyond the dimensions of a phone and desktop and consider the usability of other widely used products.
The problem
Microwave ovens are vital kitchen appliances that many people use daily. However, despite their widespread use, the user experience of microwave ovens is often criticized for being confusing and difficult to use. The buttons and controls on microwave ovens are often labelled with vague or cryptic symbols, and inputting cooking times and power levels can be frustrating and time-consuming. Microwaves seem to have strayed from their initial purpose and expanded to become a multi-feature appliance.
The claim
The microwave is considered an essential and prevalent appliance in most households. As we constantly search for ways to develop our everyday flows, the microwave has transformed over time into an appliance with numerous features that expands past its initial purpose. Some microwaves have complex programming options that can be difficult to navigate, especially for users who are not tech-savvy. 63% of users found the programming options on their microwaves confusing.
Initial research shows
Initial research indicates a need in the market for a product that carries out its primary function properly. A microwave that considers user accessibility and a variety of ways to help users complete their taskwith ease and efficiency.
In-depth interview + Usability testing
Usability testing was conducted by assigning a microwave user to complete two different tasks.
The tasks were:
Task 1: Heating up rice
Task 2: Thaw some fish
Usability testing and the in-depth interview were effective in validating the following key insights from the user survey:
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The user only used the microwave to reheat and thaw food.
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The user was unaware of several functionalities such as <power level> or <minute plus>.
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The user would have preferred clearer visual cues on how to properly open the microwave door.
Findings from usability testing + interview
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The user mainly uses the microwave for reheating food but sometimes uses it for thawing too.
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While opening the microwave, the user mentioned they would have preferred a visual cue on where to open the microwave door – he only knew it was on the bottom right because it was in the manual.
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For task 1, the user does not use the <reheat> button on the panel, he just adds 20 seconds on the number pad.
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User does not know the <minute plus> function on the top right of the panel.
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User does not know what the <power level> button does.
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User found task 1 to be straightforward. He did not know what the aforementioned buttons mean but assumes for people who know, they would be useful.
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Microwave defrost options does not have option to thaw fish. User has to make amendments.
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User is aware different options mean different frozen meats have different thawing temperatures.
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User would have liked thaw feature to be more accommodating to all types of frozen items.
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User did not know that weight had to be inputted for thawing. He simply followed the pattern he memorized in the manual without knowing weight was necessary.
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User thought thawing is necessary but should be less challenging.
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Task 2 was straightforward to the user as well. Maybe not all the buttons are necessary and the panel could be less cluttered and still fulfill its function better.
User flow
To outline the functionality of my redesigned microwave, I created a simplified, easy-to-use, and accessible user flow, which takes the user from when they open the microwave door to when they close it, and everything in between.
Examples of user goals being met are:
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Clearer display to eliminate any confusion.
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No buttons or press/pull functionalities for accessibility. Users can tap to prompt an action.
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Excessive features were removed, and the core purpose of the microwave was restored. This improves the speed of task completion and quality.
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Low-fidelity wireframes
Once the user flows were established, I created low-fidelity wireframes based on the user flow. This helped me visualize Where all the features would go, and this will go on to aid my high-fidelity microwave design.
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High-fidelity prototype
I connected my high-fidelity designs into a clickable prototype. With this clickable prototype, I can validate my design decisions with a usability test on a potential user.
Due to the nature of the project, I was only assigned to wireframe my ideas. In my own time, I created high-fidelity screens and with more time, I will eventually create a functioning prototype for this project.
Key takeaways from the survey
User survey
I conducted an online survey via Pollfish on individuals who own and use a microwave. A total of 24 participants responded.
Conducting user surveys was essential to gather a large number of responses quickly. The data collected from the surveys provided a general understanding of user opinions regarding microwave usability and helped guide the user interview later.
The link to the survey responses can be found here.
A summary of the responses:
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Participants were mostly aged between 25-55.
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Participants use microwaves as an appliance which saves them time while cooking.
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A microwave is an appliance used daily by most of the participants.
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Around 35% of participants did not know every single function of their microwave.
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The majority of respondents use the microwave to thaw and reheat food.
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Often, participants were unable to reheat or thaw their food properly; therefore unable to complete their task.
SCAMPER ideation
SCAMPER ideation was a beneficial technique to help think outside the box. Some critical ideas developed through SCAMPER include:
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Adding a weighing scale.
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Clearer visual cues to improve task completion speed.
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Removing the turn dial and any press/pull functionalities to enhance accessibility.
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Categorizing food items for more accurate heating/defrosting.
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Adding <+30 seconds> while the microwave is functioning.