CS160 Midterm Exam |2025-2026 Complete Study Guide with
Verified Questions, Correct Answers, and Detailed Explanations
for Computer Science Students||Latest Version!!!
What is a critique? - Answer-Show a project in progress through
sketches and prototypes and then solicit feedback from peers
What is the point of a critique? - Answer-Get honest reactions, ask for
input on open questions
How is a critique different from a brainstorm? - Answer-Critique is
refining an idea; brainstorm is thinking of as many ideas as possible
Designer: frame the discussion - Answer-What would you like
comments on? Take a dispassionate stance
How to critique? - Answer-comments made about design not
designer; point out positives and be specific; ask for alternatives, and
don’t propose solutions (when possible)
Critique tips: - Answer-start with clarifying questions, listen before
speaking, lead into explorations of alternatives, ask clarifying
questions, refer back to the goals
Wearable characteristics - Answer-portable while remaining
operational, allow for hands free use, integrate sensors, communicate
information to user proactively, always on and continuously receiving
inputs.
Wearable opportunities - Answer-Experience of retrieving info, UX
affected by how users control personal flow; sensor data based on
user context and info accessibility; smart watches that satisfy user req
most adequately will survive; smart watches used for quick
interaction; UI needs flexible and rapid input.
Smartwatch challenges - Answer-screen size, power, connectivity,
context awareness, sensing, familiar interfaces or novel interaction
models, social acceptance
Goal of a storyboard - Answer-understand how your product or app
fits into larger context
pg. 1
,How to construct storyboard? Show a _____ scenario, and start by
setting _____. Show key ______ with your app. Zoom out to show
_____ - Answer-single, stage, interactions, consequences
What is task analysis and contextual inquiry? Observe ________;
create scenarios of ______; create models to gain _____ into work
_____ - Answer-existing practices; actual use; insight; processes
Rapid prototyping is when you build a _______ of a design - Answer-
mock up
Low fidelity techniques - Answer-paper sketches, cut copy paste,
video segments
Interactive prototyping tools? - Answer-HTML, Flash, JS, etc.
What is evaluation? - Answer-Analytically evaluating, testing with
real target users
Low cost techniques for evaluation? - Answer-expert evaluation,
walkthroughs
Higher cost evaluations? - Answer-Controlled usability study
3 steps in the design cycle - Answer-Design, prototype, evaluate
The Design Process (in detail): Steps (7) - Answer-Acceptance,
analysis, definition, ideation, idea selection, implementation,
evaluation, iterate.
The Design Process: Acceptance - Answer-You must accept that you
have to get started and must become committed; key is to set
motivation
The Design Process: Analysis - Answer-Understand users and tasks
(Who/what?)
The Design Process: Definition - Answer-Focus on the problem,
choosing the appropriate level of detail
pg. 2
, The Design Process: Ideation - Answer-Brainstorming, stretch mental
muscles, get physical (put stuff on walls), IDEO rules: one convo,
stay focused, be wild QUANTITY BRUH
The Design Process: Idea Selection - Answer-Define importance of
each idea (address problem?, target users like it?, can we do it?, cost?,
market window?); Rank ideas according to criteria and pick top N
The Design Process: Implementation - Answer-Scale up low -> high
fidelity
Low fidelity prototype - Answer-sketches, paper, etc.
Medium fidelity - Answer-Flash, JS, AJAX
High fidelity - Answer-full UI
The Design Process: Evaluation - Answer-prototype walkthroughs,
think aloud, WOZ
Lewis & Rieman - Answer-Who will use? Tasks? plagiarize. Rough
out design. think about design. prototype. iterate. build prod version
What is the waterfall model? - Answer-Application description,
requirements spec, system design, product (no iteration) can't fail fast.
Brainstorming - Answer-Don't encourage conformity!!!
Enhancing creativity - Answer-Think outside of the box; don't go
along with what is expected of you; don't except convention
Performing task analysis - Answer-find real users; talk to them (find
how what they do now, how your system fits in?); too busy? buy time
with coffee etc.
Task analysis: What tasks do they now perform/ are desired? -
Answer-Old (current way); new (way you anticipate), observe (pick
most important tasks)
Task analysis: How are tasks leaned - Answer-What does the user
need to know? Training? Experience, level of education?
pg. 3
Verified Questions, Correct Answers, and Detailed Explanations
for Computer Science Students||Latest Version!!!
What is a critique? - Answer-Show a project in progress through
sketches and prototypes and then solicit feedback from peers
What is the point of a critique? - Answer-Get honest reactions, ask for
input on open questions
How is a critique different from a brainstorm? - Answer-Critique is
refining an idea; brainstorm is thinking of as many ideas as possible
Designer: frame the discussion - Answer-What would you like
comments on? Take a dispassionate stance
How to critique? - Answer-comments made about design not
designer; point out positives and be specific; ask for alternatives, and
don’t propose solutions (when possible)
Critique tips: - Answer-start with clarifying questions, listen before
speaking, lead into explorations of alternatives, ask clarifying
questions, refer back to the goals
Wearable characteristics - Answer-portable while remaining
operational, allow for hands free use, integrate sensors, communicate
information to user proactively, always on and continuously receiving
inputs.
Wearable opportunities - Answer-Experience of retrieving info, UX
affected by how users control personal flow; sensor data based on
user context and info accessibility; smart watches that satisfy user req
most adequately will survive; smart watches used for quick
interaction; UI needs flexible and rapid input.
Smartwatch challenges - Answer-screen size, power, connectivity,
context awareness, sensing, familiar interfaces or novel interaction
models, social acceptance
Goal of a storyboard - Answer-understand how your product or app
fits into larger context
pg. 1
,How to construct storyboard? Show a _____ scenario, and start by
setting _____. Show key ______ with your app. Zoom out to show
_____ - Answer-single, stage, interactions, consequences
What is task analysis and contextual inquiry? Observe ________;
create scenarios of ______; create models to gain _____ into work
_____ - Answer-existing practices; actual use; insight; processes
Rapid prototyping is when you build a _______ of a design - Answer-
mock up
Low fidelity techniques - Answer-paper sketches, cut copy paste,
video segments
Interactive prototyping tools? - Answer-HTML, Flash, JS, etc.
What is evaluation? - Answer-Analytically evaluating, testing with
real target users
Low cost techniques for evaluation? - Answer-expert evaluation,
walkthroughs
Higher cost evaluations? - Answer-Controlled usability study
3 steps in the design cycle - Answer-Design, prototype, evaluate
The Design Process (in detail): Steps (7) - Answer-Acceptance,
analysis, definition, ideation, idea selection, implementation,
evaluation, iterate.
The Design Process: Acceptance - Answer-You must accept that you
have to get started and must become committed; key is to set
motivation
The Design Process: Analysis - Answer-Understand users and tasks
(Who/what?)
The Design Process: Definition - Answer-Focus on the problem,
choosing the appropriate level of detail
pg. 2
, The Design Process: Ideation - Answer-Brainstorming, stretch mental
muscles, get physical (put stuff on walls), IDEO rules: one convo,
stay focused, be wild QUANTITY BRUH
The Design Process: Idea Selection - Answer-Define importance of
each idea (address problem?, target users like it?, can we do it?, cost?,
market window?); Rank ideas according to criteria and pick top N
The Design Process: Implementation - Answer-Scale up low -> high
fidelity
Low fidelity prototype - Answer-sketches, paper, etc.
Medium fidelity - Answer-Flash, JS, AJAX
High fidelity - Answer-full UI
The Design Process: Evaluation - Answer-prototype walkthroughs,
think aloud, WOZ
Lewis & Rieman - Answer-Who will use? Tasks? plagiarize. Rough
out design. think about design. prototype. iterate. build prod version
What is the waterfall model? - Answer-Application description,
requirements spec, system design, product (no iteration) can't fail fast.
Brainstorming - Answer-Don't encourage conformity!!!
Enhancing creativity - Answer-Think outside of the box; don't go
along with what is expected of you; don't except convention
Performing task analysis - Answer-find real users; talk to them (find
how what they do now, how your system fits in?); too busy? buy time
with coffee etc.
Task analysis: What tasks do they now perform/ are desired? -
Answer-Old (current way); new (way you anticipate), observe (pick
most important tasks)
Task analysis: How are tasks leaned - Answer-What does the user
need to know? Training? Experience, level of education?
pg. 3
