Exercise 2: Interface Evaluation

At first glance, the HotWire.com website, while not exactly cutting-edge in terms of web design or overtly beautiful, appears usable. The "Rate Locator" pane is highlighted and very visible, and if I'm searching for a cheap airplane fare, I can do it immediately without much searching of the page. The icons for search type (the hotel bed, etc.) are helpful. Upon searching, the cheapest result is immediately presented, and the listing of airfares is presented appropriately. Navigation to other pages is simple and reasonably presented.

There isn't much contrast in terms of page elements, however, and the gray color of most page elements makes it difficult to determine what elements on the page are important. I think it would be good to design potential user observations around performing these basic tasks like searching for a flight, hotel room, etc., then perhaps mixing it up by adding a task such as filtering a flight search, adding more complex options, etc.

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Wyatt Anderson
wanderson@gmail.com