In project one we worked in groups and like most group work exercises i found it with its negatives and positives but overall it was the best way to begin initial work, in project two however most of us found it more an exercise of patience.
I can see how it allowed more hands for paper prototyping but nobody would agree on what to paper prototype never mind what should be in it.
In my opinion it was a clash of personalities rather than designs. The group basically broke into thirds very early on, two wanted and app, two wanted a website and two wanted a website but were fine working on an app for group work stages since it would have the same fundamental elements that a website would have.
Many of the group refused to attend or participate, alot of ideas weren't included in the paper prototypes due to disagreements amoung the group that didnt involve the project. However to me i took this as a learning experience, you might not be able to choose who you work with all the time, but you should always participate and most of all keep personal disputes away from the work and most of all the clients, otherwise you just look immature and unprofessional.
Im frustrated and disappointed in the group work stages, although i really tried to create a calm and neutral atmosphere amoung the group, it was apparent in the minimal work produced and presentation that many of the group wouldnt put aside their differences and work as a team. It was unprofessional infront of the clients and may have given them a bad impression of each of the group members, whether they were involved in the disputes or not.
Due to a lack of group attendance we decided before the end of group stage to meet up several times outside studio hours, but in the end, not everyone could make it, creating unnecessary work and communication. To help rectify the situation we created a group facebook chat which in the end proved extremely useful, it allowed a comfortable and more neutral platform so everyone could contribute what ideas and designs they wanted. It also sped up the communication lines and everyone was informed on updates or progress at the same time.
This was used to share group/class work and decide on prototype ideas without the need for everyones attendance.
During group work each group was given a feature to focus on, our group was given transport.
To begin this exercise we brainstormed and discussed all the transport option should and cold have, and how the stereotypical user would react to it
Below is one of the final brainstorms, which we briefly presented to and discussed with the rest of the class and the clients.
Different transport included walking, bus, taxis and car share.
The app could include maps to plan your route, a traffic and road updater and perhaps a calander to keep your appointments and have a feature for alarms and reminders.
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Our group decided to create an app for an iphone, the next stage was to design a brief layout of the app, what all it should have ie welcome screen, push notifications etc.
To do this we brainstormed its tasks and functionality ie. what unique features it would have.
Once the basic app idea was created we began to create users, with different tasks, genders, ages, and lifestyles, this was to see how different users would react to the app and what their incentives would be to use it, that way we could make the app more universal and user friendly.
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From here we created many different user journeys, this allowed us to see the flaws in our design.
Our groups subject was transport so we presented a user journey of a complicated feature on our groups app. The carshare.
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The clients agreed, with proper information, warnings and third party consent (the clinic both hypothetical users would be attending) this was an interesting feature, but not for the initial prototype, the app would need to be well established before adding options as unfavorable as strangers carsharing.
During paper prototyping we asked one of the clients and a member from another group to test our paper prototype, this would allow us to see if theres anything confusing to a first time user.
We supplied the test user with a users journey, ie. they were to search health for a clinic that offers free BMI checks in the Creggan area.
During the feedback for our paper prototyping it was questioned how certain features would work, so we created another paper prototype of how an unusual feature would work ie. the walk through/help feature.
Below is the link to the groups initial paper prototype, filmed by me, paper designs by Darren Mc, Ryan D and Niamh C, user Alex B, paper asset organizer Barry D.
The group continued paper prototyping to make the apps design easier and have more concise information.
During feedback it was discussed how the imagery could be bolder, less confusing and be more recognizable to a new user without leaving the screen cluttered.
We would now take the knowledge and ideas from group work and work on them within our individual projects.
Filming by Barry D, User Alex B, final paper designs Ryan d, me, Niamh, paper asset organizer Darren Mc.
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