Using a Mirror for Usability Testing

Gary Perlman

Motivated by the need to videotape software users' facial expressions, I started to look into multiple video cameras, wall mounting brackets, video mixers. I was faced with a large equipment budget, possible construction costs, and the need to learn how to use a lot of equipment. I don't know how it came to me, perhaps then I used a mirror to shave in the shower, but I thought of:

It worked really well! With a $2 convex mirror the size of my hand, mounted with a wad of packing tape or with velcro dots, the camera can pick up a good image of the user. With some careful adjustment of the angle of the mirror, you can capture the user and the keyboard and mouse, thereby replacing two extra cameras, not just one. I usually set up the mirror in the upper right because there is usually more of interest in the upper left.

image captured through a video camera

I've used the setup for many years, but I have a few comments and warnings: