1. Features Users Would Like:
Local Events, gallery shows, and festivals
Ideas for new places to go to
Maps for how to get to those places
Ratings and comments from past events
Event & Festival personal calendar
2. Determine Who The Users Are:
Apart from the likelihood that your users are mobile and that they expect beautiful graphics, simple interactions, and high performance, what distinguishes them? In the context of the app you’re planning, what is most important to your users?
People who want to try something new
Users who like to go to different events and restaurants
Families who want coupons to try new places
Moms who are looking for a cheaper way to entertain their families
People who like to go to events and festivals
People who just want to try new places
Three Characteristics of Targeted Audience:
People who go to a lot of festivals and events
Anyone who wants to know more about what is happening in their city
People who are into trying new things
3. Filtering The Features:
List of local events and activities
Calendar of upcoming events
Reviews and images of past events
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Smartphone Application Project
1. Study/Flash Card App
I like the idea of combining video, notes, and study cards together in an app for students. We could have an area for recording lectures and then a way to customize flash cards that can be set to a specific test for a certain test. The test can have an alarm set for maybe the day before as a reminder.
2. Local Festivals and Events
Take a look at the app for LivingSocial, it gives coupons for local restaurants and salons and what not. I think that it could be a good base to start, but we can take it in a direction more towards events, gallery shows, and festivals in the area without the discounts.
3. Event Planner
It would be fun to create an app for all sorts of events and have pre-set to-do lists that could be edited. We could have it for things like birthday, weddings, graduation, etc.
4. Travel Games
We could put a list of travel games together so that adults or kids who have to go long distances could be entertained. Games like matching, travel bingo, hangman, or other simple word/image games.
5. Parking meter
Could have a timer for parking meters and maybe we could add a map system to show where free parking is or show what it would cost to park certain places.
We finally decided to follow through with the festival/event application.
I like the idea of combining video, notes, and study cards together in an app for students. We could have an area for recording lectures and then a way to customize flash cards that can be set to a specific test for a certain test. The test can have an alarm set for maybe the day before as a reminder.
2. Local Festivals and Events
Take a look at the app for LivingSocial, it gives coupons for local restaurants and salons and what not. I think that it could be a good base to start, but we can take it in a direction more towards events, gallery shows, and festivals in the area without the discounts.
3. Event Planner
It would be fun to create an app for all sorts of events and have pre-set to-do lists that could be edited. We could have it for things like birthday, weddings, graduation, etc.
4. Travel Games
We could put a list of travel games together so that adults or kids who have to go long distances could be entertained. Games like matching, travel bingo, hangman, or other simple word/image games.
5. Parking meter
Could have a timer for parking meters and maybe we could add a map system to show where free parking is or show what it would cost to park certain places.
We finally decided to follow through with the festival/event application.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Week 7 Reading Response
Chapter 12 - Bad Designs happen to Good People
I cannot count how many times that I have come across forms that are so overly intense that they have turned me away. I mean, who needs to know all that personal information for a general account or newsletter request? Designers need to keep in mind that people want to do things quickly and so having really long-winded forms full of lengthy questions is going to turn people away. I also have run across quite a few with a lot of optional fields, and quite honestly if its optional, I'm not wasting my time filling it out and so why do they even have them? Forms need to get to the point, get the information they 'really' need and then function correctly.
People also do not want to be bombarded with a lot of flashy web design, but rather want a website that functions and lets them find exactly what they are looking for quickly.
Here are some websites that talk more about these topics:
Form Guidelines - An Eye-tracking Study
Smashing Magazine - Modern and Creative Forms
Simple Form Builder for Beginning HTML
I cannot count how many times that I have come across forms that are so overly intense that they have turned me away. I mean, who needs to know all that personal information for a general account or newsletter request? Designers need to keep in mind that people want to do things quickly and so having really long-winded forms full of lengthy questions is going to turn people away. I also have run across quite a few with a lot of optional fields, and quite honestly if its optional, I'm not wasting my time filling it out and so why do they even have them? Forms need to get to the point, get the information they 'really' need and then function correctly.
People also do not want to be bombarded with a lot of flashy web design, but rather want a website that functions and lets them find exactly what they are looking for quickly.
Here are some websites that talk more about these topics:
Form Guidelines - An Eye-tracking Study
Smashing Magazine - Modern and Creative Forms
Simple Form Builder for Beginning HTML
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Week 6 Reading Response
Chapter 10 and 11 - Courtesy and Accessability
When I am web browsing for something specific, I dont want to have to search for it for very long. Users can often times get really frustrated with web browsing and so if a website wants to be successful the developers need to recognize that people want to keep things simple and fast. Some websites intentionally or unintentionally like to hide things in pull down menus or under strange categories that no one would think to look under. This can cause a real problem because people will not be able to find what they are looking for and then will avoid your website like the plague. The presentation of the website is also very important, because the user wants to know that you thought about them and put effort into it. This means that you need to know what questions are going to come up and be able to provide simple solutions to those problems.
Another issue that is becoming more prominent is the accessibility of websites. Developers have a lot of different types of computers, hand helds, and web browsers to deal with and so it is really important that websites are formatted for each viewing mode for the most accessibility. There is also the issue of developing websites to be accessible for everyone, including those with disabilities. Websites now have to follow ADA compliance in order to provide those people with hearing and vision disabilities the capability of using the web.
Here are some websites that talk further about these topics:
Adobe Article - Usability Common Courtesy
What is Web Accessibility?
Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
When I am web browsing for something specific, I dont want to have to search for it for very long. Users can often times get really frustrated with web browsing and so if a website wants to be successful the developers need to recognize that people want to keep things simple and fast. Some websites intentionally or unintentionally like to hide things in pull down menus or under strange categories that no one would think to look under. This can cause a real problem because people will not be able to find what they are looking for and then will avoid your website like the plague. The presentation of the website is also very important, because the user wants to know that you thought about them and put effort into it. This means that you need to know what questions are going to come up and be able to provide simple solutions to those problems.
Another issue that is becoming more prominent is the accessibility of websites. Developers have a lot of different types of computers, hand helds, and web browsers to deal with and so it is really important that websites are formatted for each viewing mode for the most accessibility. There is also the issue of developing websites to be accessible for everyone, including those with disabilities. Websites now have to follow ADA compliance in order to provide those people with hearing and vision disabilities the capability of using the web.
Here are some websites that talk further about these topics:
Adobe Article - Usability Common Courtesy
What is Web Accessibility?
Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool
Week 5 Reading Response
Chapter 8 and 9 - Usability Testing
Everyone has their own thoughts, opinions, and experiences with the web, and this can cause a real argument between what is right and wrong about web design. The truth is that there is no average user and therefor the rules of engagement are still very open. The one thing that a good website has, is a high level of usability. This means that even if the website isnt the most dynamic and amazing, users will be more than happy with a great sense of organization and navigation. Designers, developers, and programmers all have different opinions about how websites should look and function, but its not really about them, its about the users. In order to create the best environment for the user testing can be done throughout the development process.
There are several ways to perform usability tests on a website, but the two most common are using focus groups and physical testing. Focus groups are best used in the beginning stages of a website development in order to sample initial user opinions. Then as the development progresses to the final stages, physical usability testing can be performed by selected users in order to ensure the best organization and navigation. Some of the most common problems that developers see in their usability testing are: lack of concept, unclear wording, and confusing or busy navigation.
Here are some websites that talk further about these topics:
25 Point Usability Checklist
Smashing Magazine - Usability Tips
Website Standards Association - Usability Standards
Everyone has their own thoughts, opinions, and experiences with the web, and this can cause a real argument between what is right and wrong about web design. The truth is that there is no average user and therefor the rules of engagement are still very open. The one thing that a good website has, is a high level of usability. This means that even if the website isnt the most dynamic and amazing, users will be more than happy with a great sense of organization and navigation. Designers, developers, and programmers all have different opinions about how websites should look and function, but its not really about them, its about the users. In order to create the best environment for the user testing can be done throughout the development process.
There are several ways to perform usability tests on a website, but the two most common are using focus groups and physical testing. Focus groups are best used in the beginning stages of a website development in order to sample initial user opinions. Then as the development progresses to the final stages, physical usability testing can be performed by selected users in order to ensure the best organization and navigation. Some of the most common problems that developers see in their usability testing are: lack of concept, unclear wording, and confusing or busy navigation.
Here are some websites that talk further about these topics:
25 Point Usability Checklist
Smashing Magazine - Usability Tips
Website Standards Association - Usability Standards
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Final Logo Design
Original Logo:
Here is the final logo redesign for Love my Shoes. Its simple, fun and has a sense of class that was not present in their original logo.
Here is the final logo redesign for Love my Shoes. Its simple, fun and has a sense of class that was not present in their original logo.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Week 4 Reading Response
Chapter 7 - Designing the Homepage
I found this chapter interesting because it explains how there is a delicate balance between getting enough information to grab the interest of the viewer and then overloading the homepage, just because you want to promote everything at once. I cannot count how many websites that I have been to that just listed and put every single link and advertisement they could think of on their homepage. It really made me not even want to look at their website, or even try to guess where to start.
The homepage should have the identity, a clear hierarchy, a search capability, a tag-line and some consistently updated material. When people visit websites they want to be able to find the identity quickly and then they want to be able to move through the page realizing who and what they are, as well as find the starting point to their search quickly. I also found it interesting about how pull-down menus can really hurt a website. Though they can be dynamic and cool, they actually hide a lot of links and can leave viewers confused and frustrated.
Here are some links to websites that talk further about these topics:
Tips from Susan Greene - Copywriter
Minimalist Navigation
10 Guidlines for Homepages
I found this chapter interesting because it explains how there is a delicate balance between getting enough information to grab the interest of the viewer and then overloading the homepage, just because you want to promote everything at once. I cannot count how many websites that I have been to that just listed and put every single link and advertisement they could think of on their homepage. It really made me not even want to look at their website, or even try to guess where to start.
The homepage should have the identity, a clear hierarchy, a search capability, a tag-line and some consistently updated material. When people visit websites they want to be able to find the identity quickly and then they want to be able to move through the page realizing who and what they are, as well as find the starting point to their search quickly. I also found it interesting about how pull-down menus can really hurt a website. Though they can be dynamic and cool, they actually hide a lot of links and can leave viewers confused and frustrated.
Here are some links to websites that talk further about these topics:
Tips from Susan Greene - Copywriter
Minimalist Navigation
10 Guidlines for Homepages
Week 3 Reading Response
Chapter 6 - Designing Navigation:
I really loved the analogy that was used in this chapter to explain navigation. I really never thought about website navigation as if I were walking through a space such as a store. It really is very similar in that when you walk through the door, you look for a section, then maybe an isle, and then to a specific type of product. The hierarchy is so important when considering navigation. People will often leave a site if they cannot find something fast enough and so good web design needs to keep the navigation as top priority. I never realized how much people rely on the web as if they were in fact walking through a physical space, and so when an information architect and a designer are building a website they really need to keep that in mind.
There is also great importance on consistency of pages and navigation in order to provide the most pleasant experience for the viewer. When people walk through a store to find something, they will be able to remember where they went and how they got it, but for someone who is browsing through a website to find something, it is important to provide a structure that they can remember. Search engines also seem to be very important because it provides the user with a tool to quickly search for a specific item. I've never been one to use a search engine on a website, but I could see that if I were frustrated with finding something, how it could really be helpful.
Here are some websites that focus on some of these topics:
Dos and Donts of Website Navigation
Website Checklist - Best Practices
Navigation Trends of 2008
I really loved the analogy that was used in this chapter to explain navigation. I really never thought about website navigation as if I were walking through a space such as a store. It really is very similar in that when you walk through the door, you look for a section, then maybe an isle, and then to a specific type of product. The hierarchy is so important when considering navigation. People will often leave a site if they cannot find something fast enough and so good web design needs to keep the navigation as top priority. I never realized how much people rely on the web as if they were in fact walking through a physical space, and so when an information architect and a designer are building a website they really need to keep that in mind.
There is also great importance on consistency of pages and navigation in order to provide the most pleasant experience for the viewer. When people walk through a store to find something, they will be able to remember where they went and how they got it, but for someone who is browsing through a website to find something, it is important to provide a structure that they can remember. Search engines also seem to be very important because it provides the user with a tool to quickly search for a specific item. I've never been one to use a search engine on a website, but I could see that if I were frustrated with finding something, how it could really be helpful.
Here are some websites that focus on some of these topics:
Dos and Donts of Website Navigation
Website Checklist - Best Practices
Navigation Trends of 2008
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
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