February 29, 2012

Helvetica Bold vs Futura Bold Research

This is a visual comparison of Helvetica Bold and Futura Bold. Moving forward we will be retesting each person from before for a group comparison. With those results we will be creating a charted out comparison of the visual clarity of each typeface. 






Urban Chicken Farmers Final Statement

While working with Jessie, and Jessica on our group Urban Chicken Farming sub-culture project we learned a great deal about the value of design research. While researching Urban Chicken Farming we utilized many different methods of research consisting of interviews, secondary research, prompts, probes, photo survey, guided tours, behavioral mapping, and shadowing. The results were consistently surprising in the amount of data that was able to be gathered. As a group we found it refreshing to be able to research a sub-culture so hands on and in depth that we really had a grasp of what their situation was. This allowed us to discover several gaps in todays urban chicken farmer's life where there was genuine need to be filled. We met many wonderful people who opened their doors to us as students to share in their struggle to keep their chickens in an urban environment and in many cases share their beliefs with their children. These kind people became our personas, allowing us to create two sides to the Urban Chicken Farmer persona. The visual & verbal audit allowed us to break down the communication codes that they send and receive through so that we can better tailor our solutions to their needs once a designer utilizes our research book. The affinity diagram allowed us to break down our information gathered into values, traits, and goals that can be clearly laid out for future designers to reference. Task analysis allowed us to show behaviors, obstacles, and decision points that Urban Chicken Farmers make in their day to day life. In conclusion design research plays a huge role in creating successful design work. Our entire group agrees that we will forever be better for it because now understand this fully.

February 25, 2012

Designer Toy Collection Data Gathering

My collection is based on Designer Toys. 

The three methods of sorting I have chosen for my objects:
  • Popularity (Based on how many people have each specific toy on their wish list):
  • Color (Neutral to Saturated):
  • How Much I Like Them (Personal Appeal Ranked 1-15): 
I have also recorded the data for each toy based on: 
  • Artist/Designer
  • Toy Series
  • Country of Origin
  • Manufacture Date
  • Manufacture
  • When Purchased




















February 17, 2012

Updated Skins (Pre-Final) Scenario 1 & 2

These are my digital skins pre-final keynote. There have been some major adjustments since these based on Marty's feedback. I am posting these for documentation of my process in this project.  

Scenario 1 Step 1

Scenario 1 Step 2

Scenario 1 Step 3

Scenario 2 Step 1

Scenario 2 Step 2

Scenario 2 Step 3

Scenario 2 Step 4

Scenario 2 Step 5


February 16, 2012

Data Gathered by 2/15 Check Point & Update

This is the collection of data we have collected thus far. Moving forward we will continue to accumulate data. Preferably we will test everyone in design with corrected vision. 

Next we will be finding connections, and establishing the rules in which we will visualize the data. Once approved we will move forward into wire framing and skinning. 

Further Reading:


Eli - Visual Acuity Results:
Near / Snellen Card:
R: N5
L: N5
Far  / Snellen Chart:
R: 20/70
L: 20/100

Michael - Visual Acuity Results:
Near / Snellen Card:
R: N18
L: N18
Far  / Snellen Chart:
R: 20/200
L: 20/200

Jessie Ren - Visual Acuity Results:
Near / Snellen Card: 
R: N5
L: N5
Far / Snellen Chart:
R: 20/70
L: 20/70


Ian Spaeth - Visual Acuity Results:
Near / Snellen Card: 
R: N48
L: N48
Far / Snellen Chart:
R: 20/200+
L: 20/200+




Michael Jumper - Visual Acuity Results:
Near / Snellen Card: 
R: N24
L: N36
Far / Snellen Chart:
R: 20/200+
L: 20/200+



Ivan Alonzo - Visual Acuity Results:
Near / Snellen Card: 
R: N6
L: N8
Far / Snellen Chart:
R: 20/70
L: 20/70



Jessi Wilson - Visual Acuity Results:
Near / Snellen Card: 
R: N8
L: N5
Far / Snellen Chart:
R: 20/100
L: 20/70




McKenzie Marston - Visual Acuity Results: 
Near / Snellen Card: 
R: N6
L: N5
Far / Snellen Chart:
R: 20/20
L: 20/20


February 15, 2012

The Urban Chicken Culture


UX: The Urban Chicken Culture

Urban chicken farming is a practice of keeping chickens in one's backyard, usually in an urban setting, although some urban chickens can be found in a suburban environment. In Kansas City, Missouri, the urban chicken community is small but growing, quietly dispersed across both sides of the Missouri River. Because of strict city ordinances against chickens, mostly on the Kansas side, raising backyard hens has been troublesome. Despite the obstacles, families decide to keep them with supportive neighbors who benefit from receiving fresh eggs.

Those who keep chickens in Kansas City believe in the local food movement. They believe in a sustainable food source, but they also believe in familial interaction. It's important for many who own their own chickens to teach their children about the cycle of life and the ethical treatment of animals. On the surface level, it's about fresh eggs, fun family pets, and a happy garden. On a deeper level, it's about a sustainable way of living, an ethical and personal responsibilty for where food comes from, and a civil disobedience towards an uniformed municipal.