#ix501

[calumdixon]

Updates to Consumer Platform Information Architecture 

Since the beginning of the wire framing process the topic of Information architecture has been on my my mind quite a bit since the IA map of a product will inform much of the design. During the initial wireframing I noticed a point of inconsistency across IA Map. This was that while I used a separate section for displaying funded goods, redeemed goods were a held within the redeem goods section. The straighten out this inconsistency I adjusted my IA Map to included funded goods within the fund goods section of the app. This way there is an overall consistency in approach. 

My plan for displaying these views will be through a sub navigation in the form of tabs on the top of the screen. Using tabs is the best approach as by using these I can avoid navigation confusion. For instance if a user wants to redeem a good, they will enter the redeem goods section and from the beginning of this section they will also see a redeemed goods tab within the top screen tab navigation section. Meaning that they cannot redeem a good or service without having seen where the redeemed goods will be held after redemption. 

Since my previous IA map was based on details I had found from a card sort I decided to get in touch with those that had participated. Everyone who participated in the initial card sort had agreed that this approach made more sense. With this confirmation I felt confident to move forward with this new approach.

[calumdixon]

Chatting with Ailís from Esther Giving

Earlier this week I spoke with Ailis from Esther; Esther is a local charitable business that presents people with the opportunity to fund programmes that will help different groups facing homelessness or poverty. They achieve this via pre-paid business debit cards provided by the company expend. These cards while originally intended for business expenses are perfect for giving to members of the homeless community as they are pre-paid and allow Esther to control what the money is spend on to some degree; allowing them to block vendors such as Off Licenses and Bookmakers. Although this control isn’t absolute, there is nothing to stop purchases of alcohol in supermarket stores that aren’t listed as off licenses or purchases of products that are later sold for cash.

The chat I had with Ailis was incredibly helpful, with both myself and the Esther team working on somewhat similar products they were able to provide a lot of useful insights. The first useful insight was when Ailis introduced me to gift aid. Gift aid was something I was unaware of before but it is essentially a UK Government scheme that involves the UK Government donating 25p for every £1 donated to a charity. The opportunity for using as a method for providing additional help is enormous and it could additionally be used as an alternative method for offsetting running costs.

The second useful insight I had was around optimising my idea for an initial MVP. Ailis made the the point that looking to target every type of business might not be the best decision for two reasons. Firstly, creating a product that would be capable fo supporting a wide range of businesses and services, and the differing goods and services they provide would be extremely costly and complex. In comparison, if I were to focus on just supporting businesses that provide goods that can be collected in store at any time (eg: cafes, takeaways and grocery stores) this would simplify the product considerably. Secondly, targeting a smaller range of business types could help strengthen the marketing of the product by being able to create targeted marketing based on the benefits of the using Pitch In.

[evamariagarcia-blog]

RSA - The Workshop 

The workshop that we did with Chris was to help us generate ideas and start us off with this project. I decided to use one of the ideas that my group came up with but I want to talk about the process of how we got there.

We started with three topics food, people and locations. From here we created mindmaps around each of these sections. With these mindmaps, we selected three words three times and put them into three circles that joined together. With these three words, we had to come up with an idea.

The first three words where chef, speakeasy and veggie. With this idea, we came up with an event for chefs to compete against each other on the best veggie food and it would be hosted in a speakeasy.

The second three words we had were homeless, on wheels and meals. With these three words, we came up with an idea where people could donate their leftover food to homeless people. This food could be given out on wheels so in a food truck. It would feed people in need and you would have a connection with someone who is homeless.

The final three words we came up with were elderly, restaurants and Christmas dinner. The idea that came out of these three words was helping elderly people who are lonely at Christmas. This would be aimed at elderly people who don't necessarily have any family left. We would hold an event at a restaurant where they can get a Christmas dinner and bring gifts to give one another. This would help and encourage them to make friends so they would maybe have someone to go to the shops with or to bingo.

We had to decide which idea we thought was the best and from there we developed it further.

Based on this workshop I have decided to go with the chef speakeasy as my own project as I thought it was a great idea. This workshop really helped to get the ball rolling and help understand what is expected of us.

[liammcevoy]

ITS FINAL YEAR!

As Chris mentioned I am going to find this year a lot more difficult coming straight in from second year. So I need to keep my head down and keep motivated. I need to find the right balance to keep myself right and aim for deadlines with the best outcome as possible. 

Whats the Brief?

This module focuses on equipping students with the idea generation and prototyping skills required to produce a substantial and challenging body of work for the Major Project module, which is completed in the following semester. It is intended to form a springboard for the students' final outcome and is very closely linked to the deliverables of the Major Project module.

AIMS

The essential aims of this module are:

●  To introduce a range of design research approaches.

●  To add to the idea generation repertoire.

●  To further develop paper-prototyping skills, ensuring to complete the

programme with a clear understanding of the importance of thinking through paper.

●  To equip the skills required to convincingly pitch their ideas in a confident

and reasoned manner.

●  To develop individual design skills and identities, informing their Major Project

module in the final semester.

●  To build a series of prototypes that will inform and guide the construction of their Major Project.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the principles of applied and iterative prototyping. 

Understand the links between concept, technologies and process leading to a resolution.

Demonstrate a deep understanding of the different techniques deployed in idea generation.

Employ the conventions of academic writing to present ideas in a reasoned manner.

Identify and develop the individual design skills required to carry out a major project.

Develop concepts with appropriate guidance towards a given purpose and generate novel solutions.

Select and evaluate information relevant to their major project.

Identify and define complex interaction design problems and apply appropriate knowledge and skills to their solution.

Apply appropriate skills and technical considerations to individual aspirations.

Use initiative, independence and ambition through learning from international models of excellence.

Apply appropriate interaction design methodologies and processes in the development of project prototypes.

Demonstrate an understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship in the creative industries.

Structure and communicate ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. 

Communicate the maturation of initiative and where appropriate, team working.

Demonstrate a high level of self-reliance and independence in determining future direction.

Exercise time management and organisational skills for meeting staged project

What Can the Major Project Be?

Web Site (Something Substantial)

Native Application (Phone, Watch...) • Web App, SaaS

eBook

Connected Product

[thedoggotracker]

Major Project - Colour Palette

The colour palette will cover the majority of needs. It’s intentionally small in variety so that it doesn’t dilute the brand visuals, which might cause confusion.

The secondary colours will be used throughout the app for interactions, buttons and data recordings.