What information can ethnographic tools give you to improve the interactivity of an online banking website? (pp. 48-54)
Observing real use of the website can give ideas for how people intuitively react to certain prompts or layouts. Some users may have biases such as already being familiar with another banking website, so the designers should account for what the user may already know and be accustomed to, even if it is not the most logical approach at first glance. This can be accomplished by interpreting user actions from market research, as well as gaining additional information from interviews and surveys.
At what point is a design finished? What makes it a success? What is its purpose? (pp. 54-62)
A design is never truly finished because it can always be improved or iterated upon. The user needs or context of application of the design may change over time. Designs can, however, be subject to deadlines or other constraints that would cause them to be abandoned.
Identify a product family you use regularly (can be anything from technology to consumables except for coffee). How has its branding affected your use, relationship and experience with the product? (pp. 78-84)
I am a frequent user of services designed by Google; almost all of the apps on my phone are made by them. Many of these are default apps that come preinstalled on the Android operating system and I quickly became accustomed to them so I never had the need to search for alternatives. Some, however such as a podcast app, I had to choose for myself. When confronted with those decisions, I still typically opt for the one provided by Google, as I am already familiar with the interface and layout that is consistent across their range of services and I can reasonably expect a certain level of quality. Being a creature of habit, this may even cause me to choose something I am accustomed to over an alternative that may provide more functionality.