Matt Carrano
Designing for Usability and Human Interaction
4/29/2009
Device Review of “AirWick Freshmatic” Based on Conceptual Model and Cognitive Principles
The core function of “AirWick Freshmatic” is to disburse fragrance and eliminate order. The uniqueness of the device is the built in timer where a user can control the fragrance release time between 2, 9 and 18 minutes interval. The extra feature is the express button which can be used if you need extra fragrance. “AirWick Freshmatic” does a good job on conceptual model but affordance, mapping and feedback can be improved a lot.
Conceptual Model:The exterior of the device looks appealing and goes with modern decor. The express function in
intuitive as it is right in front and different color and labeled “Express”. The other function, timer, is not used often and is inside the box. The timer is number and is easily readable. On the top there is a button with an arrow which indicates where is supposed to be pushed. On the back, it has hole so that one can hang it in the wall. The device works well and has lots of good features like express button, timer switch. The device gives predictable results. The express button give extra burst of fragrance, and has button like feeling. A user can predict that the fragrance is sprayed from the hole that is in front of the device. The universal wall mount on the back works the way it suppose to.Affordance:Device does what it supposes to do spraying
fragrance in time interval of 9, 18 and 36 minutes. It also gives you an extra push button on the front in you need some extra fragrance in between the timer. User can easily assemble all the components like battery and canned fragrance. Most of the components are marked properly and is in standard form when applicable. Like the battery holder and can holder and the wall mount hole in back. You cannot make a mistake on where to insert it. While assembling you can easily set up the timer for what you want. They are clearly marked with numbers for minutes. The express button is right in the front, visible, distinct and easily accessible whenever you want an "extra boost of fragrance". The battery holder has illustration on how to place the batteries. It also has a good illustration on how to insert the canned fragrance and how it is not suppose to be inserted.Mapping:Device does a good job in mapping by putting the express button right on the front. It
can be has to be easily accessible when needed. Whereas the timer switch is hidden inside where is hardly changed. It helps the device to look appealing and elegant. One thing the device misses on mapping is the fragrance quantity indicator. There isn't any indicator to indicate if the fragrance is low or is about to be finished. The problem can be easily solved by putting some count function in the unit. Like, when fragrance is sprayed 60 times it will indicate with some event. Like another led light labeled with low fragrance (Figure 1.a). That way user will have time to buy more fragrance. The other mapping issue is the green light on the top. It doesn't have any label. One need to look at the manual to figure it out why is it blinking. This issue can easily be solved by labeling “low battery”(Figure 1.a) The device opening mechanism is designed very nicely. It has a button on the top with an arrow pointed which shows which direction we are suppose to move to. It also has two curved spaces on left and right sides which give easy grip to the device while opening it.Feedback:The device gives a good feedback on the main function
. Whenever it sprays the fragrance, it makes a sound of spray and you can see and smell the fragrance. The express button has a nice button like feel. It gives an imitate feedback by spraying the fragrance. The time interval switch makes the interaction audible by giving “click” sound when you change the minutes. However there is an issue with timer. There is no way of knowing when the device will spray the fragrance. Hence it could be dangerous. This issue can be easily solved but putting some feedback event like a sound. It needs to beep 2 seconds before it sprays the fragrance. The sound will have user to be alert and not be near to the spray direction.Overall the Airwick Express does a good job on its core function by placing the express button in front and timer button inside the box. However the product can be more useable with by placing label next to the green light, by adding second LED light for low fragrance and adding a sound function for a spray warning feedback.
