Sonos One — Interaction mapping
/ 1 semester
As part of the Interaction Mapping project in the «ident» course, I examined the interaction with a Sonos smart speaker, focusing on the challenge of changing songs when the control elements are not clearly visible. The main objective was to understand how a person unfamiliar with the device would navigate this task.User Test
The test subject was given a seemingly simple task:
change the currently playing song on the Sonos speaker.
However, this proved to be challenging due to two main factors:
- The speaker lacked clear markings for its touch-sensitive controls.
- There were no obvious indications of how to change the song.
Documentation and Analysis & Interaction Map
All interaction steps and areas of confusion were meticulously recorded on an Interaction Map. This visual representation helped identify:
- Points of user hesitation
- Unsuccessful interaction attempts
- Moments of discovery or breakthrough
Key Insights
This project revealed several important aspects of user interaction with smart home devices:
- The importance of clear visual cues in device design
- The need for intuitive controls, especially for basic functions like changing songs
- The potential for user frustration when faced with unclear interfaces
The project goals involved testing a chosen device with an inexperienced user. Observations from the user test were carefully documented and analyzed to extract valuable insights. The entire interaction process was mapped out and
later visualized on a poster.
By mapping out these interactions, the project provided valuable insights into improving the design of smart speakers and similar devices, emphasizing the need for user-centered design in modern audio equipment.