Interface Analysis Report

Disney.com

Introduction/Overview

Disney.com is an extensive, comprehensive web site employing state of the art graphics design, animation, multimedia video clips with sound and music to provide information, entertainment and educational opportunities. This site does a good job of providing a visual representation of the world of action in providing users with a transparent interface that allows them to accomplish tasks with ease.

Multifaceted Purpose

As part of an integrated Disney network, users access the site for information on Disney vacations, for planning weddings and honeymoons, to purchase merchandise, to watch video clips, to play video games and educational games, to research career/educational goals, to access topics on family related themes.

Audience

International in scope.

Children of all ages, college students, young adults, parents

A basic understanding of web surfing techniques would enhance and facilitate visits to the site.

Styles of Interaction

Navigation is supported using three styles of interaction:

Direct Manipulation

Menus

Form Fill-in

Direct Manipulation

Users position the cursor over a graphic representation of an icon object and click causing the interface to change to a whole new page.

Appropriate for a population of users who may not speak English, cannot read or who are novice in computer skills. Tasks are accomplished with ease.

Menus

Menu bars, pull down menus, pop up menus, embedded links found in context.

Linear sequence menus, tree structure menus, a-cyclic menus as a network that are reachable by more than one path, and cyclic menus which provide repeatable paths.

Menus with buttons and embedded links allow for easy, rapid navigation.

Form Fill-in

When users want to invoke a search feature, they type in a form fill-in.

Used for log-ins to password protected portions

Allows more experienced users rapid direct access to points of interest

Foley Van Dam Model

Applying this model reveals some design flaws in the web site

Conceptual Level: Because some screens contain Disney specific terminology (Zeether, ZoogDisney, Disney Blast), the gut reaction for these users may be uncertainty. Other screens without “Disney-ese” have good conceptual understanding.

Foley Van Dam Model

Semantic Level: Overall meanings conveyed by most objects are clear, except when Disney specific terms are used. These may present problems in navigating to desired location.

Foley Van Dam Model

Syntactical Level: Knowledge of specific syntax is not required for this site. However, the rule of acquiring the right target and clicking governs successful navigation.

Lexical Level: Site visitors use the keyboard and the mouse to access information.

Improvements/Modifications

The site assumes familiarity with Disney characters and terminology; more generic terms should be used: Zeether should be replaced by TV Productions, Disney-Blast should be changed to On-line Club and Playhouse could be labeled Pre-school Fun.To remove screen clutter, as some pages are too busy, some of the glitzy graphics could be simplified and streamlined removing excessive, unnecessary objects.

Key Features

Highly structured, cohesive and consistent.Information chunking is employed as organization follows topical, thematic grouping.A noise is heard indicating correct positioning of cursor over target, helpful for children and novice users.

Key Features

Sophisticated video games with high resolution graphicsStandardized format throughout the site. Banner, logo with pull down menu, menu bar, menu map with graphical representation of objects, menu bar for navigation to service sites, pull down menu for rapid direct access to specific area of interest.Guest services and Help buttons provides site maps and assistance on every main page.