Comments on: Lunchtime Redesign Challenge: Phone Number Entry

By: Michael Cook

Michael Cook — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 17:34:17 +0000

We ran into a very similar issue with a recent client project, in which they were also trying to confirm appointments scheduled online.

I like to think we solved the issue with common sense rather than technology, and simply asked…

“Best phone to reach you?” with fields for area code, prefix, number and extension. There was also a bit of nearby text explaining “Your phone number will only be used to confirm your appointment.”

By: Paul Ferguson

Paul Ferguson — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 18:03:36 +0000

Clearly not a lot of thought was put into how the form would be used… but I agree that without more information, it’s difficult to really comment. I don’t think I would look twice at the snippet you posted, in terms of its usability, unless I was looking to, say, start a discussion about it. I doubt anyone would be tripped up or otherwise seriously harmed/maimed/confused by it.

I do have to say, however, that I liked Darby’s first solution quite a lot.

By: Garrick Van Buren

Garrick Van Buren — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:22:00 +0000

Keith,

It’s part of a larger appointment scheduling form, so it should act as a component within that larger form.

By: Darby

Darby — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:13:08 +0000

What is this company trying to do?
Is it the Republican party?
Is it a small company who does all their bookkeeping by hand?
Is it Verizon?
is it MySpace.com?
Is it the University if MN?
A loan application?
What is the user demographic????

Not knowing this I went two different directions.
http://www.laingdesign.com/mini/form.html

1. Option 1 – appeal to the client’s instincts.

2. Simplify the process – assume the majority of this customer’s client base has cell phones and can access their email via their phone.

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 16:06:18 +0000

Should the solution work:
a) as part of the whole (unseen) form that this came from
b) on its own

By: Eddie

Eddie — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 15:27:12 +0000

lol-I chuckled when I notice that “home” number has an input for extension.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 15:09:21 +0000

This looks like fun! However, we need some context to even begin to create an effective design.

1) What does this company do?

2) What are they trying to achieve with the form as a whole?

3) Does the company do business exclusively in the US or internationally as well?