Week 4

UX designers need to sketch in early stages of a project. Broad feedback is good for early stages of a project. The sketches are more focused on function rather than design. The sketches don't need to be pretty but they do need to be clear.
Ideation is important, you should start by asking yourself:

What is the user's current problem.
How does your idea solve the current problem?
How is the product used?
What are the best ideas?
What will the UI look like?
Can this UI be better?
How does this flow?

Week 3 Outside of Class

We were to read Flowchart, Site Map, and Hub and Spoke Paradigm from IID. Flowchart give represent the different steps of a given operation, action, or process. They show a basic flow of information while a data flow would get more specific and complexed. A site map shows the flow of information and structure of a web site. It's how a site is grouped and organized. They show higher detailed view than a wireframe. They may get complicated so organization is a must. Hub and spoke is an analogy of a wheel where each path is organized from a central location. If information is sent out in one direction it must return to the hub to go in another direction.

week 3A

 We were to read Top 10 Tips for Naming Your App. It starts off by comparing the success of an app's name to the household ghost names of celebrities. It is very important that the name leaves a great first impression on users. If there are many similar apps that your app must compete with it is a very good idea to have an instantly distinct name compared to the rest. Icon design is best used when it is simple but also gives the user an idea of what the app's function is. Choosing a prefix or suffix for your app can be tricky because they can make it seem recognizable but it would also lose originality. You defiantly don't what to duplicate a name that already exists. If you are thinking about a name while you in development, Apple only allows 120 days to submit the full code or your name will be up for grabs. Think of using two words to name your app, one that tells the main function, and one that enhances the idea of your invention. Don't copy or sound like your copying. Make it clear, tell what your app is about. Keep it easy to pronounce, especially if it's name is a new word. In order to sound trustworthy, keep your name conventional as far as capitalization goes. Aim for something under 11 characters. Choose a prefix or suffix, but be careful. A random name generator might actually help if your are completely stumped. Be absolutely sure that you are not using another trademarked name for your app.It might take time for you to come up with the perfect name for your app, but it's worth the wait.

Then we read about the Parteo Principle. Also call the 80-20 rule, this principle states that if 80% of the work of a project is put into 20% of the process the focus should be emphasized here. We also learned about personas. These are archetypes made on basic motives and behaviors gathered through actual observant research. This will determine the target audience.

Week 2 outside of class

We were to read Mobile First chapter 3. It was about the capabilities of mobile devices. Even though mobile devices have natural constraints, it doesn't mean they are inferior. This just means that developers must use all they can to the fullest extent. The author tells a story about going through the Tube in London. He says he can easily download a PDF map off his laptop but would rather use the mobile app Nearest Tube which, "relies on access to a mobile’s location
detection services, digital compass (or magnetometer), video
camera, and accelerometer." This makes finding your way in the Tube as easy as looking at your screen. It is clear that both versions solve the same problem but in their own ways. The app version uses location information to aid in the searching experience. Mobile devices are made to be moved around a lot so the accelerometer allows the website to respond accordingly to the direction it is being held. This can turn the limited screen space into a benefit. More benifits and features of mobile devices include:

Direction: from a digital compass
Gyroscope: 360 degrees of motion
Audio: input from a microphone; output to speaker
Video and image: capture and input from a camera
Dual cameras: front and back
Device connections: through Bluetooth
Proximity: device closeness to physical objects
Ambient light: light/dark environment awareness
NFC: Near Field Communications through RFID readers.


We were to also read part of IID (Interdisciplinary Interaction Design). A content inventory is a process of taking stock of the information on a website. A content audit is the tool used to carryout a content inventory, usually in a grid formate. Diverging is keeping an open mind and being open to all possibilities, while converging is narrowing your idea down to the final conclusion. When designing it is common to forget basic human needs, which is why Abraham Maslow created a hierarchy of needs with basic needs on the bottom and more specific needs on top. Shannon and Weaver's communication model is used to show the basic flow of communication, but also shows use how easy it can be to be misunderstood.

Week 1 outside class

This weekend we were to read "Tarantinoing Our First iPhone Application". The point of the article was to draw parallels between director Quinton Tarantino's struggle as he begins to make Pulp Fiction but ens up making Reservoir Dogs instead and app creation. The author's Pulp Fiction equivalent was a lecture app called Lec, while his Reservoir Dogs equivalent was a time converter named Time Match. This tell you that you will most likely not go with your first idea because you will most likely fail to prepare for failure. It is very important to test app functionality, this is why UX designers are so important. UX design is what ultimately made the authors' second app idea better than his first. Small and simple apps are usually the best especially with UX designers.