DD2000 - Essay Plan

How have input devices such as remotes, keyboards, mice and pen tablets changed over time to improved comfort usability and functionality?

I have decided to answer this question as I find it very interesting and I feel that in terms of ergonomics devices just as mice and remotes have changed considerably to be easier and more comfortable to use.

Key Research Areas

For this question I shall look at how certain objects have changed in appearance over time and analysis whether a design change has been done due to style or a trend or if it was to make the object more user friendly or to make its controls more responsive.

I will look at how the demand for such products has increased within markets over time. For instance there is a much higher demand for high-end pen tablets due to there being more skilled jobs that required people to have that kind of hardware.

Additionally I will look at how people have become more conscious about how ergonomic a product is as edges have become more curved and objects are less square like. Objects that are designed to comfortably fit in your had have been designed to fit in around your hand to make it comfortable.

I will also look at how input devices have become a lot more user friendly with simpler button layouts, coloured and named buttons, touch controls and gesture controls.

Time Plan

Week 1: Conduct research into different fields

Week 2: Create clear plan of what points will be raised

Week 3: First Draft

Week 4: Refinement of ideas and arguments

Week 5:Second draft and any additional research

Week 6 - 7: Final draft, printing, bounding, hand-in