Alarm Clock

Fiona, I really like how you included the actual alarm time on the clock face. Not only can the person see that the alarm is on, but also verify what time it is set for. The slider button for the alarm setting is great, too. It makes it a lot easier than potentially hitting an off button by mistake. My only criticism is that I think it's a lot of buttons to have all in one place. This is really just personal clumsiness, but I'm prone to smacking around until the alarm shuts off. This clock would be dangerous in my hands! But like I said, that's just personal preference. Good job!

Here is a link to my alarm clock!: terpconnect.umd.edu/~areigle/t5/index.html
I went a very simple route when I designed mine. I thought about what I want in an alarm clock and personally I just like the clock to have that one purpose as I think too many other options frustrate me.
I kept the idea in mind that instructions on how to use it should be minimal and that the functions of the buttons or switches should pretty obvious. The one button that you would have to use a couple of times before you understand it’s purpose would be the “Alarm Set” button. When you press it the display changes from the current time to the alarm time and to actually set the alarm, using the “hours +” and “mins +” buttons, you have to hold the button. This was perhaps the only button I had that I think would need further instruction. However, it has become a common function on many digital clocks currently, so the learning curve might not be so bad.
The “hours +” and “mins +” buttons are also something that might be frustrating to users but has also been a standard in digital alarms clocks. I had them only add time as I think adding another function to allow movement in the other direction can add another step that might be confusing and add clutter. To change from AM to PM you have to add hours until AM or PM is indicated on the digital display.
The switch on the top indicates whether the alarm is on or off as simply as possible, in my opinion as well as the snooze option.
Overall, I took in consideration the specific purpose of an alarm clock and tried to make a clock that required as little instruction as possible. I also tried to think of the difficulty it takes to make a clock with too many other buttons or options and what users are familiar with according to digital alarm clocks.

You have two comprehensive drawings for your clock! I actually really like the idea of using dials for setting your times. That was the function I had issues thinking through, but I think you have a great idea for an analog clock. Having an analog clock allows for you to disregard having to work in an AM/PM indicator or switch, which streamlines things a little. Some users might like to set alarms for times way in advance, but I think this is a bit more straightforward for novice users which frees up some space for you to add the volume button.
Putting the functions related to the alarm on one side and those related to the clock on the other is also a good way to avoid confusing the user.

I think it was a good design choice to make the alarm on/off a switch rather than a button, so the user can tell by feel (in the dark in the early morning, as we do) which thing they want to hit, either alarm off or the snooze button

The only thing that could be a drawback would be that the front of the clock doesn't indicate whether the alarm is on or off. You'd have to look at the switch on top to tell and that might be difficult to see. Otherwise I think the design is pretty solid for anyone who has encountered an alarm clock before, far less complicated than many of them.

The alarm clock by terpconnect.umd.edu/~fjardine/t5/ is very descriptive! I also like that it is handwritten! The large number display helps me see exactly what time it is. I also like how regardless whether the display is illuminated you can see the display options. I also like the large snooze button which makes it easy to hit when your half asleep. I am wondering how big this alarm clock would be, would it even fit on my nightstand? I also wonder what color the display would be? Red? Blue?

I prefer small, transportable alarm clocks. Currently I use my telephone's alarm, but transportable clocks can be useful on trips, specifically when you cannot charge your phone or it doesn't work (e.g. abroad when a phone doesn't have service and essentially becomes a complex alarm clock). The clock displayed could be either battery or socket powered, but to highlight the clock's transportability battery-powered would be better. terpconnect.umd.edu/~ewrenn/t5/

These are the main functions that I want a clock to have:

- Digital Time
The time display is large and digital. A user should be able to read the time easily from across the room. A user sets the time on the right side of the clock. The user can see the front display while pressing the minute, hour, and AM/PM buttons on the right to adjust the time. The user adjusts the alarm time by moving the switch to the "Set Alarm" position. When the switch is in the "Set Alarm" position the buttons on the right adjust the alarm's minute, hour, and AM-PM settings. The date can be set/adjusted using the right panel of the clock by setting the switch to the "Set Date" position. In the "Set Date" Position the buttons control the date's day, month, and year, respectively. Pushing the switch all the way down to the "Setting Locked" position disables the Set Clock buttons.

-AM/PM Display
The AM/PM display is clearly illuminated beside the time display.

-Date
The date is displayed with the day first, month next, and year last. The superscript D,M, and Y are added so that the user clearly knows 3/1/2013 is March 1st rather than January 3rd.

-Day
A user does not need to set the day. Once the date is selected the clock will recognize the day because the information is preloaded in the clock's computer.

-Alarm
The user knows when the alarm is set because of the bell display on the front of the clock. The bell disappears when the alarm is turned off. The user can set the alarm on the left side of the clock. The options are clearly labeled: the alarm is on when the switch is up and it is off when the switch is down.

-Snooze
The clock has a large snooze button on the top of the clock. There are no other buttons on the top of the clock so that a user doesn't mistakenly hit the snooze button while tying to hit another.

This example is well executed. The alarm clock has basic features, but each feature is explained well and justified. There are two features in particular that seriously consider usability. First, the snooze and alarm-off controls are in two separate parts of the clock. The designer considered how people use the clock, recognizing unfortunate instances when a sleeper turns off the alarm when s/he really just wants another 5 minutes of sleep. As the author noted, separating the two buttons eliminates button confusion.

On a similar note, separating the alarm set and time set features limits confusion setting one or the other. Though, the settings are similar so there is consistency on both sides of the clock.

The only recommendation I would add is to make a wider base or find another way to stabilize the clock. I see this clock being knocked over easily on snooze mornings.