I did three interviews to test the expressiveness of the rough auras: one in person and two over the phone. I asked my participants to watch the 12 animated auras (above) and tell me how they interpreted them. Afterwards I explained my intended emotion and asked how I could change or improve them. In a nutshell, here is what I learned:
Things that work:
- Participants can sense the difference between negative and positive auras.
- The design is inviting and easily understood.
- Nonchalant was picked up on by all participants.
- Angry was understood by all.
- Sad was also understood by all.
Things that need improving:
- No one understood sarcastic and all thought it was not needed since it's the same as joking.
- No one understood awkward.
- Confused is not needed since people would likely express that with words.
- Tired looks too playful.
- Scared reads more as tired.
To see a full summary of my findings…