IxD

DocuPal – Applied Interaction Design

DocuPal – Applied Interaction Design

For this college module, we had to choose a topic that we wanted to explore. We were allowed to choose any topic. This topic would then be explored using either a ‘design game’ or ‘design probes’. Our team of two decided to do a design game on the software product development process.

This game was based loosely on the concept of Apples to Apples. The video below demonstrates how the game worked.

The sticky note solutions from the design game were all collected and analysed. After getting inspiration from these solutions, we had to come up with a final design solution. After brainstorming ideas and sketching a simple graphic user interface I ended up with this final design concept and prototype:

This video was made using Axure RP, Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Illustrator.

A brief description of how the interaction was prototyped:

  • A clickable prototype was made in Axure RP.
  • I then took a video of the screen as I was completing a task normally in Microsoft Word.
  • I edited a GUI into this video and placed it back on the smartphone.
  • Finally, I filmed myself pretending to use the application.

The final result is DocuPal, a prototype of an application that can assist people in using documentation for software.

Foundations Of Interaction Design – First Year (Semester 2)

Foundations Of Interaction Design – First Year (Semester 2)

Introduction

This module introduced some basic Interation Design (IxD) concepts. This included a description of the IxD process which is split into different phases, which are: the ‘Understand Phase’, the ‘Design Phase’ and the ‘Prototype Phase’. Throughout the year these steps were followed, where the aim was to simulate the practice of an actual IxD project, with the exception of a working interactive installation. The topic of the project was ‘Environmental Awareness On The Campus‘.

IxD Process

By using diagrams, keywords and brainstorming, problems with environmental awareness were identified and a topic was chosen for our team. We decided on ‘power consumption on campus’. In order to understand the topic we used IDEO cards. These cards outlined:

  • The use of secondary research
  • Surveying and behaviour tracking methods
  • The importance of first hand evidence (i.e. Photos, Videos)

During the ‘Design Phase’ the IDEO ‘Try’ cards were used. Narratives and storyboards were then made to conceptualize our imagined interactive installations.

Finally, a paper prototype was constructed and filmed. This video, entitled: ‘Battery Hunt’ was then edited and put online.