CS 440 Midterm Exam – Questions & Answers
| Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | Graded A+
What is an example of an iterative design process, and how does it work? - correct
answerIterative design is a cycle of creating, testing, and refining designs to improve
usability and functionality. For example, IDEO's "Deep Dive" includes brainstorming,
prototyping, and critiquing, allowing teams to learn from failures and refine ideas based
on user feedback.
What is the design diamond model of design, and what are its implications and potential
breakdowns? - correct answerThe design diamond alternates between divergent
thinking (exploring many ideas) and convergent thinking (narrowing down to a solution).
It emphasizes thorough research and exploration, but breakdowns can occur when
decisions are rushed or ideas are prematurely discarded.
What distinguishes sketches from prototypes in terms of properties and purpose? -
correct answerSketches are quick, disposable, and used to explore ideas and provoke
discussions. Prototypes are more refined representations used to test specific design
elements and validate functionality.
How can you differentiate examples of sketches from prototypes? - correct
answerSketches suggest and explore possibilities, often remaining ambiguous, while
prototypes provide specific, testable representations of a design. The intent of a
prototype is to answer design questions with clarity.
What is the master/apprentice relationship in contextual inquiry, and how does it
contrast with other relationships with participants? - correct answerIn the
master/apprentice model, participants perform tasks naturally while explaining their
actions, and researchers ask clarifying questions. This contrasts with interviews or
observational studies that may not engage participants as collaborators.
What are the principles of contextual inquiry, and how are they applied? - correct
answerContextual inquiry involves conducting research in real settings (context),
collaborating with participants (partnership), interpreting findings for design implications
(interpretation), and focusing on specific themes (focus). These principles ensure
insights are grounded in real-world practices.
What are the stages of a contextual inquiry, including withdrawal and return? - correct
answerStages include observing participants in their environment, withdrawing to
discuss interpretations, and returning to validate findings. This process encourages
shared understanding between the researcher and participant.
Can you give examples of design research methods and explain when they might be
applied? - correct answerSurveys gather broad quantitative insights, focus groups
, reveal group dynamics, and diary studies track behaviors over time. Each method is
chosen based on the depth and type of insights needed for a project.
What is Norman's execution - correct answerevaluation cycle, and how do the Gulfs of
Execution and Evaluation affect it? - The cycle describes how users set goals, execute
actions, and evaluate outcomes. The Gulf of Execution represents difficulty in
translating intentions into actions, while the Gulf of Evaluation reflects challenges in
interpreting system feedback.
What are implementation, manifest, and mental models, and how are they related? -
correct answerThe implementation model describes how a system works, the manifest
model shows how it presents itself, and the mental model is how users understand it.
Misalignments among these models can lead to confusion or usability issues.
What are affordances, and how do false and hidden affordances impact usability? -
correct answerAffordances signal how objects can be used, but false affordances
mislead users (e.g., decorative elements that look interactive), and hidden affordances
fail to communicate available actions. Both reduce usability by creating confusion.
What are metaphors in design, and how are they identified? - correct answerMetaphors
use familiar concepts to explain systems (e.g., a desktop metaphor in GUIs). They are
effective when they help users transfer existing knowledge but can confuse when they
overreach or fail to align with functionality.
How do affordances, metaphors, and idioms differ in terms of mental models? - correct
answerAffordances suggest direct interactions, metaphors explain systems via analogy,
and idioms rely on learned conventions like double-clicking to open files. Each supports
mental models differently based on user familiarity and expectations.
What are examples of visibility, constraints, and mappings in design? - correct
answerVisibility ensures controls are clear and easy to find (e.g., labeled buttons).
Constraints prevent errors by limiting actions (e.g., grayed-out options), and mappings
align controls with their effects (e.g., burner knobs corresponding spatially to stove
burners).
What is the role of consistency (internal and external) in mental models? - correct
answerInternal consistency ensures uniformity within an interface (e.g., same navigation
layout across screens). External consistency aligns with other systems, helping users
transfer knowledge (e.g., standard keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+C for copying).
How do modes affect mental models? - correct answerModes change system behavior
(e.g., CAPS LOCK for capital letters). Passive modes, which persist until toggled, can
confuse users if unclear, while active modes, requiring continuous engagement, are
easier to manage.
| Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep | Graded A+
What is an example of an iterative design process, and how does it work? - correct
answerIterative design is a cycle of creating, testing, and refining designs to improve
usability and functionality. For example, IDEO's "Deep Dive" includes brainstorming,
prototyping, and critiquing, allowing teams to learn from failures and refine ideas based
on user feedback.
What is the design diamond model of design, and what are its implications and potential
breakdowns? - correct answerThe design diamond alternates between divergent
thinking (exploring many ideas) and convergent thinking (narrowing down to a solution).
It emphasizes thorough research and exploration, but breakdowns can occur when
decisions are rushed or ideas are prematurely discarded.
What distinguishes sketches from prototypes in terms of properties and purpose? -
correct answerSketches are quick, disposable, and used to explore ideas and provoke
discussions. Prototypes are more refined representations used to test specific design
elements and validate functionality.
How can you differentiate examples of sketches from prototypes? - correct
answerSketches suggest and explore possibilities, often remaining ambiguous, while
prototypes provide specific, testable representations of a design. The intent of a
prototype is to answer design questions with clarity.
What is the master/apprentice relationship in contextual inquiry, and how does it
contrast with other relationships with participants? - correct answerIn the
master/apprentice model, participants perform tasks naturally while explaining their
actions, and researchers ask clarifying questions. This contrasts with interviews or
observational studies that may not engage participants as collaborators.
What are the principles of contextual inquiry, and how are they applied? - correct
answerContextual inquiry involves conducting research in real settings (context),
collaborating with participants (partnership), interpreting findings for design implications
(interpretation), and focusing on specific themes (focus). These principles ensure
insights are grounded in real-world practices.
What are the stages of a contextual inquiry, including withdrawal and return? - correct
answerStages include observing participants in their environment, withdrawing to
discuss interpretations, and returning to validate findings. This process encourages
shared understanding between the researcher and participant.
Can you give examples of design research methods and explain when they might be
applied? - correct answerSurveys gather broad quantitative insights, focus groups
, reveal group dynamics, and diary studies track behaviors over time. Each method is
chosen based on the depth and type of insights needed for a project.
What is Norman's execution - correct answerevaluation cycle, and how do the Gulfs of
Execution and Evaluation affect it? - The cycle describes how users set goals, execute
actions, and evaluate outcomes. The Gulf of Execution represents difficulty in
translating intentions into actions, while the Gulf of Evaluation reflects challenges in
interpreting system feedback.
What are implementation, manifest, and mental models, and how are they related? -
correct answerThe implementation model describes how a system works, the manifest
model shows how it presents itself, and the mental model is how users understand it.
Misalignments among these models can lead to confusion or usability issues.
What are affordances, and how do false and hidden affordances impact usability? -
correct answerAffordances signal how objects can be used, but false affordances
mislead users (e.g., decorative elements that look interactive), and hidden affordances
fail to communicate available actions. Both reduce usability by creating confusion.
What are metaphors in design, and how are they identified? - correct answerMetaphors
use familiar concepts to explain systems (e.g., a desktop metaphor in GUIs). They are
effective when they help users transfer existing knowledge but can confuse when they
overreach or fail to align with functionality.
How do affordances, metaphors, and idioms differ in terms of mental models? - correct
answerAffordances suggest direct interactions, metaphors explain systems via analogy,
and idioms rely on learned conventions like double-clicking to open files. Each supports
mental models differently based on user familiarity and expectations.
What are examples of visibility, constraints, and mappings in design? - correct
answerVisibility ensures controls are clear and easy to find (e.g., labeled buttons).
Constraints prevent errors by limiting actions (e.g., grayed-out options), and mappings
align controls with their effects (e.g., burner knobs corresponding spatially to stove
burners).
What is the role of consistency (internal and external) in mental models? - correct
answerInternal consistency ensures uniformity within an interface (e.g., same navigation
layout across screens). External consistency aligns with other systems, helping users
transfer knowledge (e.g., standard keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+C for copying).
How do modes affect mental models? - correct answerModes change system behavior
(e.g., CAPS LOCK for capital letters). Passive modes, which persist until toggled, can
confuse users if unclear, while active modes, requiring continuous engagement, are
easier to manage.
