Timo-Pekka Viljamaa

Creation and application of mobile media design drivers

In this paper, we describe how we used user studies, interviews and ethnographic methods to create a set of general design drivers for media consumption in a mobile context of use, and applied them to a particular media domain: data enhanced mobile FM radio. We designed and evaluated a number of application concepts on showing FM radio program related information in different parts of the mobile phone UI. Our evaluation results showed that users wanted to quickly and easily see at least the artist and the song name of the current playing song. We also show that it is beneficial to use general design drivers to assist domain specific design work.

Towards an optimal information architecture model for mobile multimedia devices

In this paper we propose an optimal information architecture model for mobile multimedia devices. In our study we first reviewed the information architecture models of four currently popular mobile multimedia devices, Apple iPod Video, Nokia N80, Sony Ericsson W800i and Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP). Then we used Open card sorting method to find out what kind of mental models does people have for optimal information architecture model. Finally we compared these two study results together and created a design proposal.

Unified media UI structure and design for mobile devices

In this paper we describe our research on unified media experience for the end-users. The research focused on unified mobile media player supporting different media types with one unified UI structure and design for all media types. The created UI structure and design was based on our earlier study of finding an optimal information architecture model for mobile multimedia devices. Unified mobile media player demo was then implemented and validated in Finland and Hong Kong, and after analyzing the validation findings the UI structure and design were updated. Our research findings show that there are similarities between different media types, and it is possible to create unified UI structure and design, but also some media type specific restrictions exists.

Unified media functions for mobile multimedia devices

In this paper we present research results from the three design and evaluation rounds for creating unified media functions set for mobile multimedia devices. The aim of the unified media functions is to provide a set of media functions consisting from playback control, media functions and media switching states that would work similarly for different media type. Our research results look promising for providing unified functions for different media types and also the proposed set has proved to be future proof for new mobile media types, social media aspects and new UI styles.