DOSSIER AND PRESENTATION PREP
We have been working on our dossier and our presentation over the week along with gathering everything we need for our workbook. It has been just a stressful development week. I think our progress has gone ahead well with our dossier. I loved working with Natalie she was and is so chill. We are pretty much homies now except at some times I'm too indian for her. (Racism not intended)
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
Friday, 9 October 2015
9.10.15
REFINING & BEGINNING DOSSIER
Okay so now we are up to the finalising stage of refinement of the actual app. We have user tested and it seems that it is simple and easy to use, pretty much straightforward. The users tend to like the personalisation of the avatar as opposed to picking a set avatar like our previous iterations. At this stage I'm pretty relaxed with our progress just need to fully continue with our dossier and how we will present.
Since we just had the app before we thought about how posters could lead into the app because we need a starting touchpoint. We have also thought about a diary and sticker 'starter pack' that children may get from counselling services or divorce lawyer companies. Pretty much just put everything into our dossier yet have a more simplistic presentation. Would need to make sure everything links in some way and remember to refer to the five ways of wellbeing.
Okay so now we are up to the finalising stage of refinement of the actual app. We have user tested and it seems that it is simple and easy to use, pretty much straightforward. The users tend to like the personalisation of the avatar as opposed to picking a set avatar like our previous iterations. At this stage I'm pretty relaxed with our progress just need to fully continue with our dossier and how we will present.
Since we just had the app before we thought about how posters could lead into the app because we need a starting touchpoint. We have also thought about a diary and sticker 'starter pack' that children may get from counselling services or divorce lawyer companies. Pretty much just put everything into our dossier yet have a more simplistic presentation. Would need to make sure everything links in some way and remember to refer to the five ways of wellbeing.
Monday, 5 October 2015
2.10.15
DEVELOPMENT AND IDEATION
We got really stuck into the nitty gritty stuff for the app because it has to function from every aspect for better user testing and clarity. Testing will be done soon as much as we can.
Class was fun today because we pretty much just cut out colour swatches and finally agreed on our colour palette and finally the app name. Far out it was a headache but we got there!! It's going to be called UPal.
From today it is my job to look at the 'Before' aspect of how the user gets to the actual app. So I'll be looking at marketing poster formats and an actual display font for our app and poster. This project isn't just looking at the solution but the overall picture which is something we don't always have to do initially. We have thought about how the poster/advertising of the app could/would be done through other services such as divorce lawyers, doctors and youth services. We are also wanting that there should be a time where the user doesn't need the app anymore and feels free/relieved.
We also feel we might sign up to the workshop for prototyping because we do think our app is going somewhere and be helpful. In terms of the 5 aspects of wellbeing We just need to carry on and keep refining everything. I feel as if we are at a good place maybe just need to get a bit more done so we can user test and begin our pdf dossier.
We got really stuck into the nitty gritty stuff for the app because it has to function from every aspect for better user testing and clarity. Testing will be done soon as much as we can.
Class was fun today because we pretty much just cut out colour swatches and finally agreed on our colour palette and finally the app name. Far out it was a headache but we got there!! It's going to be called UPal.
From today it is my job to look at the 'Before' aspect of how the user gets to the actual app. So I'll be looking at marketing poster formats and an actual display font for our app and poster. This project isn't just looking at the solution but the overall picture which is something we don't always have to do initially. We have thought about how the poster/advertising of the app could/would be done through other services such as divorce lawyers, doctors and youth services. We are also wanting that there should be a time where the user doesn't need the app anymore and feels free/relieved.
We also feel we might sign up to the workshop for prototyping because we do think our app is going somewhere and be helpful. In terms of the 5 aspects of wellbeing We just need to carry on and keep refining everything. I feel as if we are at a good place maybe just need to get a bit more done so we can user test and begin our pdf dossier.
Friday, 25 September 2015
25.09.15
CRITIQUE & FURTHER PROTOTYPING
Over the week I was given the task of looking for different visual approaches for our app and how that may or may not translate for the different age groups. We had some sort of mis-understanding with our demographic because I still thought we were going to work with little children whereas Natalie thought we had made our demographic smaller from 10 to 16 year olds. We sorted that out today in class and just thought of not to limit it as much for now just so we can see how the user interface aesthetics can change accordingly.
So far I've looked at vector avatar art more based around the younger child demographic as opposed to a low poly art style for the older teens. It definitely juxtaposes but we will see where we go from there. We also got to talk with a 4th year student and how she perceived this app. We got some good points to look at and further implement.
Our app involves choosing a character/avatar and I thought that might limit the user a bit too much because what if so many people choose the same one? I came across this picture that said make your own character. There were some body shapes, eyes, mouth and noses which then the user could personalise. Examples will be in the workbook anyway.
- How will kids be actually motivated to use the 'my mood' aspect of the app?
- How does it engage with the child, parents and mentor to make it a system?
- Would prompts for the parent and child app needed because we would also be looking at how the child and parents would also needed to communicate with one another.
We also got to talk to Sam from Lifehack and he also had some good feedback and critique for our project. There are some aspects we have researched in depth that would reinforce our project such as how are children and even parents introduced to this app in the first place. It could even be this is a tool a real life service may eventually use. It was very useful because he made us think in terms of the 5 types of wellbeing and how we initially started and how our prototype would link back to our brief. It's about not losing the connection between these points. We need to make that more clear which we will definitely do in the upcoming weeks. For now our important step is to suss down what we need and don't need in terms of the app and the whole aesthetic. Ongoing research will be carried on throughout.
I feel as if this could be a real thing if we wanted it to be and it seems like the app could get big in terms of content. I think we are on track and just need to keep on moving forward.
Over the week I was given the task of looking for different visual approaches for our app and how that may or may not translate for the different age groups. We had some sort of mis-understanding with our demographic because I still thought we were going to work with little children whereas Natalie thought we had made our demographic smaller from 10 to 16 year olds. We sorted that out today in class and just thought of not to limit it as much for now just so we can see how the user interface aesthetics can change accordingly.
So far I've looked at vector avatar art more based around the younger child demographic as opposed to a low poly art style for the older teens. It definitely juxtaposes but we will see where we go from there. We also got to talk with a 4th year student and how she perceived this app. We got some good points to look at and further implement.
Our app involves choosing a character/avatar and I thought that might limit the user a bit too much because what if so many people choose the same one? I came across this picture that said make your own character. There were some body shapes, eyes, mouth and noses which then the user could personalise. Examples will be in the workbook anyway.
- How will kids be actually motivated to use the 'my mood' aspect of the app?
- How does it engage with the child, parents and mentor to make it a system?
- Would prompts for the parent and child app needed because we would also be looking at how the child and parents would also needed to communicate with one another.
We also got to talk to Sam from Lifehack and he also had some good feedback and critique for our project. There are some aspects we have researched in depth that would reinforce our project such as how are children and even parents introduced to this app in the first place. It could even be this is a tool a real life service may eventually use. It was very useful because he made us think in terms of the 5 types of wellbeing and how we initially started and how our prototype would link back to our brief. It's about not losing the connection between these points. We need to make that more clear which we will definitely do in the upcoming weeks. For now our important step is to suss down what we need and don't need in terms of the app and the whole aesthetic. Ongoing research will be carried on throughout.
I feel as if this could be a real thing if we wanted it to be and it seems like the app could get big in terms of content. I think we are on track and just need to keep on moving forward.
Friday, 18 September 2015
18.09.15
DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOTYPE
After last week we have looked into the visual aesthetic of possible styles our app could have. We have also looked into what possible tabs could be within our app. After our mini presentation of our app we received feedback of how the user experience correlates with the age. Why would a 16 year old boy use a cute panda as an avatar? These sorts of complications we have started looking into and hope to resolve these issues by next week.
I feel like we need to suss down these aspects and get ahead with our actual prototype. Looking at our site map we feel like this app has so many functions and we ourselves don't know how big this app could be. We have thought about how this app could initially be recognised through youth centres, counsellors even GPs.
Also another point we have to look at is how will this app change the behaviour of the user. To go with this statement we made a 'pick your lucky number' thing and tried it out. Good ol' Steven being cheerful as always. This is the reaction we would like for our users to feel happy.
After last week we have looked into the visual aesthetic of possible styles our app could have. We have also looked into what possible tabs could be within our app. After our mini presentation of our app we received feedback of how the user experience correlates with the age. Why would a 16 year old boy use a cute panda as an avatar? These sorts of complications we have started looking into and hope to resolve these issues by next week.
I feel like we need to suss down these aspects and get ahead with our actual prototype. Looking at our site map we feel like this app has so many functions and we ourselves don't know how big this app could be. We have thought about how this app could initially be recognised through youth centres, counsellors even GPs.
Also another point we have to look at is how will this app change the behaviour of the user. To go with this statement we made a 'pick your lucky number' thing and tried it out. Good ol' Steven being cheerful as always. This is the reaction we would like for our users to feel happy.
Saturday, 12 September 2015
12.09.15
INITIAL PROTOTYPING
Today in class we began to prototype and test our solution. At first we thought of prototyping a book but that is very 2D for now. We then just began to think about how an app would work as a 3D interface for the user. We got helpful feedback from the tutors today. Instead of assuming what the app should have we need to research and interview more people of how they would want the app to be. So whatever is in the app should be more applicable to the actual user and how it should be according to them.
It should be aesthetically people because our aim is for the user to continuously use the app and yet be simple to use.
It should be aesthetically people because our aim is for the user to continuously use the app and yet be simple to use.
Thursday, 10 September 2015
10.09.15
FURTHER RESEARCH AND SOLUTION IDEATION
I've been looking into possible solutions or our brief and it is a tough choice. There definitely are resources out there but they aren't so known particularly in New Zealand.
Three possible solutions so far:
Picture Book according to our target audience
Website/forum that helps kids connect with other kids going through the same sort of thing
App where the child can also learn and understand divorce better. (Rough Idea) So many kids play with phones and ipads that this isn't much of an issue of how they would have access to an app.
I had also interviewed my friend's sister because she has gone through her parents divorcing. Even before asking her anything I wanted to make sure she was okay with it because I didn't want her to get upset. The interview went well but as much as she answered the questions she realised that she is still going through the after affects of divorce.
Sometimes I feel that the school curriculum should also include a topic about divorce and how to handle it. I mean if you can keep talking about puberty every year or shit thats going on around the world why not teach a bit about divorce so children may be able to understand the whole idea.
She definitely wishes there was something when she was initially going through the process.
App that informs the user of the situation yet helping you ease through it. Nowadays many kids have access to smartphone so even this solution looks realistic. We just have to think a bit more about the actual user experience.
Website the same sort of experience as the app. To educate/inform the user whilst appealing to the user through aesthetics and user-bility. The content is yet to be decided.
I've been looking into possible solutions or our brief and it is a tough choice. There definitely are resources out there but they aren't so known particularly in New Zealand.
Three possible solutions so far:
Picture Book according to our target audience
Website/forum that helps kids connect with other kids going through the same sort of thing
App where the child can also learn and understand divorce better. (Rough Idea) So many kids play with phones and ipads that this isn't much of an issue of how they would have access to an app.
I had also interviewed my friend's sister because she has gone through her parents divorcing. Even before asking her anything I wanted to make sure she was okay with it because I didn't want her to get upset. The interview went well but as much as she answered the questions she realised that she is still going through the after affects of divorce.
Sometimes I feel that the school curriculum should also include a topic about divorce and how to handle it. I mean if you can keep talking about puberty every year or shit thats going on around the world why not teach a bit about divorce so children may be able to understand the whole idea.
She definitely wishes there was something when she was initially going through the process.
App that informs the user of the situation yet helping you ease through it. Nowadays many kids have access to smartphone so even this solution looks realistic. We just have to think a bit more about the actual user experience.
Website the same sort of experience as the app. To educate/inform the user whilst appealing to the user through aesthetics and user-bility. The content is yet to be decided.
Wednesday, 12 August 2015
12.8.15
REFINEMENT AND FINAL PRINT
Today was our final day to get everything printed and bound. Before that we were working on it together and saw how all the visual elements flowed together. A problem we encountered was the fact the scanned images were becoming pixelated when they where scaled up. My bad for not painting appropriate sizes. We both got really stressed but then jammed to some tunes, played a little ping pong and relieved some stress.
I'm quite happy with how it turned out. While printing the book we were so stressed because we realised no one can print double sided A2. The lady at warehouse stationery was also so rude which added to the stress level. So we pretty much winged it and it still turned out pretty good thank you to the girls who had black tape.
Overall I enjoyed this half of the project because it is very different from what we actually do. It was hard to not think of a solution to our brief. In the process I would always think if this is something I would actually want to design for. At some points during the research process it was too much to take in because of the whole concept of divorce and how kids actually feel.
I am so pleased with my partner. I actually had a lot of fun working with her and how chill she is. We are pretty much homies now.
Today was our final day to get everything printed and bound. Before that we were working on it together and saw how all the visual elements flowed together. A problem we encountered was the fact the scanned images were becoming pixelated when they where scaled up. My bad for not painting appropriate sizes. We both got really stressed but then jammed to some tunes, played a little ping pong and relieved some stress.
I'm quite happy with how it turned out. While printing the book we were so stressed because we realised no one can print double sided A2. The lady at warehouse stationery was also so rude which added to the stress level. So we pretty much winged it and it still turned out pretty good thank you to the girls who had black tape.
Overall I enjoyed this half of the project because it is very different from what we actually do. It was hard to not think of a solution to our brief. In the process I would always think if this is something I would actually want to design for. At some points during the research process it was too much to take in because of the whole concept of divorce and how kids actually feel.
I am so pleased with my partner. I actually had a lot of fun working with her and how chill she is. We are pretty much homies now.
Friday, 7 August 2015
7.08.2015
DEVELOPMENT OF BRIEF
Ideate | Empathy | Define | Prototype | Test
Last night I worked on the illustration part of our brief. To create the imagery, I used Indian ink. At first I found it quite odd how when I went to scan the images, some parts look dissolved but once we put the actual brief together it played out well. The visual style is to play on the concept of it being based around how kids are affected rather than the actual adults.
Putting it into one document and seeing how everything flows is where we are at. After today's critique here is the feedback we received:
- The typeface seems too condensed and fights with the imagery
- The body text may need to be lighter
- Some of the imagery could correlate with another point
- Could reverse out some of the pages to show points of difference in the 'narrative'
- Scaling needs to be looked into
- An intro and conclusion type page needs to be set in so the topic isn't too vague
- See if it flows well again
- The rope breaking is too vague for the issue. It stands out so need to change it with the other iteration I did
- Keep in mind how we are going to bind the brief
I'm feeling quite good after today's critique because we have clear focus on where we go from here. Whenever I look at it I just keep saying to myself, is this a brief I would pick up and try to find a solution to. I was unable to go to the exchange because of work but we have made a Facebook page where we can all share our work and communicate.
Ideate | Empathy | Define | Prototype | Test
Last night I worked on the illustration part of our brief. To create the imagery, I used Indian ink. At first I found it quite odd how when I went to scan the images, some parts look dissolved but once we put the actual brief together it played out well. The visual style is to play on the concept of it being based around how kids are affected rather than the actual adults.
Putting it into one document and seeing how everything flows is where we are at. After today's critique here is the feedback we received:
- The typeface seems too condensed and fights with the imagery
- The body text may need to be lighter
- Some of the imagery could correlate with another point
- Could reverse out some of the pages to show points of difference in the 'narrative'
- Scaling needs to be looked into
- An intro and conclusion type page needs to be set in so the topic isn't too vague
- See if it flows well again
- The rope breaking is too vague for the issue. It stands out so need to change it with the other iteration I did
- Keep in mind how we are going to bind the brief
I'm feeling quite good after today's critique because we have clear focus on where we go from here. Whenever I look at it I just keep saying to myself, is this a brief I would pick up and try to find a solution to. I was unable to go to the exchange because of work but we have made a Facebook page where we can all share our work and communicate.
Saturday, 1 August 2015
1.08.2015
SORTED OUT POINTS AND PLANNED IMAGERY
Ideate | Empathy | Define | Prototype | Test
So before class today we were told to bring print outs of our 8 points along with sourced imagery. When creating this document, we had to think about how the imagery played along with our choice of words and viewpoints.
In class we laid out our work and walked around observing other work. It was good to observe how people collaborate and the outcome of their work is different. During actual class we looked at actual imagery and began creating mood boards for each specific point. We would like our imagery to somewhat evoke some pathos in relation to the issue rather than the solution. I do feel like it has started to build up somewhat of a story that we are trying to tell.
We are thinking of taking a more illustrative approach regarding our issue with children. We have also began to think of a title and how the pages may flow. I guess for next week now we just need to finalise our illustrations and refining each of the points down so there isn't too much type taking over.
Ideate | Empathy | Define | Prototype | Test
So before class today we were told to bring print outs of our 8 points along with sourced imagery. When creating this document, we had to think about how the imagery played along with our choice of words and viewpoints.
In class we laid out our work and walked around observing other work. It was good to observe how people collaborate and the outcome of their work is different. During actual class we looked at actual imagery and began creating mood boards for each specific point. We would like our imagery to somewhat evoke some pathos in relation to the issue rather than the solution. I do feel like it has started to build up somewhat of a story that we are trying to tell.
We are thinking of taking a more illustrative approach regarding our issue with children. We have also began to think of a title and how the pages may flow. I guess for next week now we just need to finalise our illustrations and refining each of the points down so there isn't too much type taking over.
Friday, 24 July 2015
24.07.15
Collaboration and Choice of Topic
Empathy | Define | Ideate | Ex-Change
This week we got into our pairs and began to define and ideate a particular topic to research. We have chosen to go for how children are affected through divorce, but give it a more light hearted perspective to help them through it. We have just started to look at imagery and how that plays along with the statistics and research we gather.
Before getting into a pair, I was quite worried if our ideas would work out and how we would compromise. This paper is so broad and we could choose any topic we want but we eventually decided we wanted to work on family wellbeing. After working on our poster formats, I have understood quite a bit more from that poster exercise in terms how imagery may correlate with a statement.
With the Ex-change, it was very interesting to see how other students are taking on this idea of well-being and inter weaving it through their majors. Next time I will be able to take more work and get a fresh perspective rather than just through a VCD perspective.
Empathy | Define | Ideate | Ex-Change
This week we got into our pairs and began to define and ideate a particular topic to research. We have chosen to go for how children are affected through divorce, but give it a more light hearted perspective to help them through it. We have just started to look at imagery and how that plays along with the statistics and research we gather.
Before getting into a pair, I was quite worried if our ideas would work out and how we would compromise. This paper is so broad and we could choose any topic we want but we eventually decided we wanted to work on family wellbeing. After working on our poster formats, I have understood quite a bit more from that poster exercise in terms how imagery may correlate with a statement.
With the Ex-change, it was very interesting to see how other students are taking on this idea of well-being and inter weaving it through their majors. Next time I will be able to take more work and get a fresh perspective rather than just through a VCD perspective.
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