User Experience Reflection

UX was a class I was really looking forward towards and it didn't disappoint. This class has enriched my ability to not only understand my audience but really take their concerns, and wants into consternation on a whole new level. By considering their values, goals, and traits. After the Urban Chicken research book we created applying it to my Information Architecture Flock iPhone Application project which I believe will greatly improve my ability to create apps tailored to those users with well researched UX methodology that we've learned. It was great to see how each project as a separate piece of the puzzle reviled something new about user experience and how what we were doing became a greater part of the whole. Like I mentioned utilizing it in IA class at the same time was excellent. Moving forward I am excited to see how much what we've learned in this class will help improve my course work and my own personal work with the coming summer, and senior year!

Sculpture Explorer Passport Final Documentation

While working on this collaborative project for the Nelson-Atkins I experienced what I would have to say has been the best exposure and experience that I have had thus far regarding utilizing user testing, and client feedback. Sure the project was a lot of fun to create, this actually really being my first time to design for children I have to say it was a blast... But what blew me away was how as time progressed through the project and we jumped design hurdles and witnessed the project evolve based on that testing and feedback it became something we were really both proud of. Towards the end of it we felt confident and proud of what we had created regardless if it was selected or not. That feeling is one that I want to continue to strive for as my career here at KCAI unfolds. 

Working collaboratively was also a really good experience for this project in particular because of the different skill set Michael and I each had and strived to divide up select tasks to best utilize the other. A challenge also arose from this collaboration and mixed skill set... We had to blend our separate styles together into a seamless design that appeared designed by a team and not just two sperate designers. Regarding the design working on something for children started off as quite a challenge. We wanted to keep the work attractive to parents but also to their children. Finding what we would call simple sophistication was an eye opener to designing for this particular kind of experience. Designing way finding became one of the biggest challenges we faced and where user-testing day really helped us out a lot. Michael stuck to his guns and really made that perspective map work with the feedback we received. By not abandoning our ambition to create a perspective map instead of a top down I think really helped the map stand out. Utilizing a mini top down map along side it allowed us to not only break the mold but also hold on to what was successful before. Moving forward I would like to spend more time with the user, and keep pushing to better implement the cares and concerns of the user I have in mind. 

Presentation:

Context Shots:

User Testing Day Shots: 

ADAA Submissions + Images

Here are my first three entries into the Adobe Design Achievement Awards. I plan on submitting a few more before the deadline.

Chocolove 100% Guilt Free Chocolate

Chocolove is a product re-design using an alternative mode of appeal. The original being a solely pathos based product has be re-designed into a primarily logos and secondary based pathos product. I wanted Chocolove to allow the viewer to know that it was going to taste as good as it was for them to eat. To do this I created a corresponding infographic of ingredients. There is a corresponding icon set to reinforce the benefits of chocolate and several interesting facts on the front cover. 

The objective of this project was to re-design an existing product package, using an alternative “mode of appeal”. Chocolove was initially a pathos based product. For the purpose of this project I re-designed it to be based on a logos mode of appeal.

6" x 3"

To create Chocolove I used Adobe Illustrator CS5. Using Illustrator I was able to create clean professional vector based graphics that really allowed my product to stand out on the shelf and in the classroom. 

Union Station Interactive Timeline

The purpose of the project was to create a timeline for public touchscreen use with both linear and non-linear elements to accompany an exhibit on the 100-year history of Kansas City’s Union Station focusing on one decade’s worth of content as a proof of concept. 

The goal of this project was to interpret principles of 2-d design within temporal media. Construct messages over time that address stated communication objectives. Explain the differences between simultaneous and sequential communication. Apply knowledge of narrative, its manipulation, and application across media in linear and non-linear forms. Apply the communicative potential of the various temporal elements (duration, motion, and transition) and communication channels (image, text, voice, music, sound effects) to further projects.

1280x720

Using Adobe After Effects CS5 we were able to create attractive motion graphics to pair with the designs we had created in Adobe Illustrator CS5 seamlessly. It was some of the first times we had ever used After Effects and it made the process not just possible but enjoyable. We were able to integrate historical documentation, personal accounts using voice recordings edited with SoundBooth, and embody the spirit of such an important American landmark as Union Station into our project. 

John Pizzarelli Quartet Folly Jazz Series Poster

This hand illustrated poster was selected by jurors from the Folly Theater and Lamar Bilboards as the poster to represent The John Pizzarelli Quartet's upcoming show in Kansas City, Missouri using the rhetorical figure of metaphor. 

The objective of this project was to design a promotional poster for the Folly theater jazz series. Author content in a way that best exemplifies the appropriate and creative use of the following rhetorical figures: irony, pun, parody, metonymy, metaphor, allegory, hyperbole, personification, antithesis, synecdoche. Clearly communicate the message for the intended audience and context. And exemplify refined and engaging image making, typography, hierarchy, composition and color sensibilities.

24x36

After drawing my design by hand I was able to scan my work into Photoshop and really pull out my line work. I was able to use Illustrator to live trace my line work and create really clean structure to work with. Next I colored in my line work with live paint that still allowed for a hand made feel. 

ADAA

Here are my first four entries into the Adobe Design Achievement Awards. I plan on submitting more than just these four but this is the start.

Chocolove 100% Guilt Free Chocolate

Chocolove is a product re-design using an alternative mode of appeal. The original being a solely pathos based product has be re-designed into a primarily logos and secondary based pathos product. I wanted Chocolove to allow the viewer to know that it was going to taste as good as it was for them to eat. To do this I created a corresponding infographic of ingredients. There is a corresponding icon set to reinforce the benefits of chocolate and several interesting facts on the front cover. 

The objective of this project was to re-design an existing product package, using an alternative “mode of appeal”. Chocolove was initially a pathos based product. For the purpose of this project I re-designed it to be based on a logos mode of appeal.

6" x 3"

To create Chocolove I used Adobe Illustrator CS5. Using Illustrator I was able to create clean professional vector based graphics that really allowed my product to stand out on the shelf and in the classroom. 

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Shigeo Fukuda Lecture Poster

Lecture poster for Shigeo Fukuda's free lecture "A Playful Heart" in the Epperson Auditorium. This poster was created in Fukuda's spirit and passion for illusion and repetition that he used in his own work. This was created using a tilt shift technique in Photoshop CS5 and a mirror image of the Vanderslice Hall building at the Kansas City Art Institute. 

The objective of this project was to create a poster for a hypothetical design lecture at the Kansas City Art Institutes Epperson Auditorium featuring Shigeo Fukuda. The style of the poster was to be inspired by the artist themselves. 

24" x 36"

Using Adobe Photoshop CS5 I was able to create a design lecture poster in the spirit of Shigeo Fukuda using illusion and repetition techniques like tilt-shifting and mirroring. Photoshop CS5 also allow me to seamlessly integrate the two images together to create a poster to honor Fukuda's memory. 

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Union Station Interactive Timeline

The purpose of the project was to create a timeline for public touchscreen use with both linear and non-linear elements to accompany an exhibit on the 100-year history of Kansas City’s Union Station focusing on one decade’s worth of content as a proof of concept. 

The goal of this project was to interpret principles of 2-d design within temporal media. Construct messages over time that address stated communication objectives. Explain the differences between simultaneous and sequential communication. Apply knowledge of narrative, its manipulation, and application across media in linear and non-linear forms. Apply the communicative potential of the various temporal elements (duration, motion, and transition) and communication channels (image, text, voice, music, sound effects) to further projects.

1280x720

Using Adobe After Effects CS5 we were able to create attractive motion graphics to pair with the designs we had created in Adobe Illustrator CS5 seamlessly. It was some of the first times we had ever used After Effects and it made the process not just possible but enjoyable. We were able to integrate historical documentation, personal accounts using voice recordings edited with SoundBooth, and embody the spirit of such an important American landmark as Union Station into our project. 

---------------------

John Pizzarelli Quartet Folly Jazz Series Poster

This hand illustrated poster was selected by jurors from the Folly Theater and Lamar Bilboards as the poster to represent The John Pizzarelli Quartet's upcoming show in Kansas City, Missouri using the rhetorical figure of metaphor. 

The objective of this project was to design a promotional poster for the Folly theater jazz series. Author content in a way that best exemplifies the appropriate and creative use of the following rhetorical figures: irony, pun, parody, metonymy, metaphor, allegory, hyperbole, personification, antithesis, synecdoche. Clearly communicate the message for the intended audience and context. And exemplify refined and engaging image making, typography, hierarchy, composition and color sensibilities.

24x36

After drawing my design by hand I was able to scan my work into Photoshop and really pull out my line work. I was able to use Illustrator to live trace my line work and create really clean structure to work with. Next I colored in my line work with live paint that still allowed for a hand made feel. 

Nelson User Testing Day Photographs

Big thanks to Erika G. for take photos! 

Map + Parts prior to user testing day

Maps, and badge sets. 

Nelson-Atkins User Testing Day Reflection

The user testing at the Nelson was extremely informative and I'm really glad we were able to have a chance to really kid / parent test these before we present them to the Nelson.

A few things I noticed that we need to work on the map labels and map clarity. Working as small as we are has been pretty tricky but we'll get it. We also have to give the parent more direction on how they can utilizes the map best. There was some disconnect about where the parent should start the proces of the map. The kids kept going to sculptures that were not on the map. In this case the parent gave both of her two kids the two maps and let them direct themselves. The parents really appreciated the labels on the badges because it simplified the information that was on the card which the kids didn't have the patience to read the whole card. The kids loved the badges and couldn't get enough of them. They started to run to sculptures that didn't even have badges for them. Again a clarity issue we will resolve. They started flipping through the booklet now to see which ones they did need so that was good. The parent really appreciated the order of events in the booklet, the legibility of the type, the amount of information and content, she appreciated the simplicity of the information layout. Michele, had mentioned to me that the prize badge should be larger than all of the others so that they can wear it in the parade and understand the importance of it above the others. I plan on re-designing the badge styles to give a softer feel. The level of incentive was off the charts I felt. We just have resolve some of our issues and tighten everything up. I feel pretty confident about it moving forward.

Nelson-Atkins Student User Testing Day Feedback

We got some good feedback from our partnering groups! 

Thanks guys! 

First presentation to the Nelson

Moving forward we will be working with the passport size carefully aware of its possible issues and limitations. Fleshing out the series of badges and using the child friendly but still sophisticated enough to be used by both child and parent hand drawn / paper texture vector rendering. style  

We presented three separate size options. 

Passport size.

Explore art size.

12x18 Poster size.

Below are our first three rendering styles explored and presented to the Nelson.

Motorcycle Billboard & Animated Web Banner Final Statement

I'm glad I chose to work with the Motorcycle subculture this time around because it was a really interesting experience to apply the same rules and principals of design research we had just learned about with one culture directly to another. In fact I think having to apply it to a different sub-culture helped it sink in.

While doing design research about the Motorcycle sub-culture I discovered that there was a service called OpenRoadJourney.com that provided riders monetary compensation for documenting their rides around America. This aligned itself with the need for money to continue to ride often, and also to further customize their bikes. This service aligned itself with the values of Patriotism, by it being about rides across beautiful America roads, Independence, by giving riders the ability to cut free of city life, and Socializing, by sharing their experiences with other riders.

Billboard.pdf

Animated Web Banner.pdf

OPENROADJOURNEY.COM
Channel: Billboard

Message:
OpenRoadJourney.com will provide you with the means to see the greatest roads in America. We just want you to share your experience with fellow motorcycle enthusisits by documenting your trip. Get paid to do what you love.

  Rider Lingo:

• Hammer Down - “Full throttle all the way.”
• Full Throtle - “On a motorcycle the control used by the driver to regulate power to the engine is called the throttle. Full throttle is when the engines maximum output of power is being utilized.”

Values:

• Patriotism - Great American roads. 
• Independence - Getting out of the city. 
• Socializing - Sharing great roads and experiences with other riders.

Goals:

• Money - Funding to keep taking trips.
• Customization - Bike personalization.

Placement:

• Major cities inner and outer corridors.
• Areas of high traffic congestion which makes the message more impactful. 

Dimensions:
Large Leaderboard Billboard
48’ft by 14’ft

Visual Approach: (Long version)
Utilizing an Image of the Rocky Mountains a well known American landmark that I took myself on a road trip allows us to speak to the riders sense of pride in their country. It gives them a suggested landmark to travel to and also creates contrast between the mountainous landscape of Colorado and the urban placement of the billboard.

The image of the Rocky Mountains has been give a dusty, and almost surreal like quality to reflect first the rich motorcycle culture’s vintage and historical roots. Secoundly the surrealist quality to bring in a magestic dreamlike quality of adventure that resonates within the motorcycle sub-culture. Particualarly regarding cross country trips as made famous in films like Easy Rider.

The rain drops and reflective flare helps create the feeling of one being behind the wind screen or looking through a helmet. This should help envoke a longing to travel.

A motorcycle is not displayed in the image because the coded language of Hammer Down speaks to the bikers without giving away the message to those who are not part of the motorcycle sub-culture.


OPENROADJOURNEY.COM
Channel: Animated .Gif

67 Frames total, up from 12 previously.

Frames build up speed in this order: 0.01, 0.04, 0.07, 0.10, 0.13, 0.16 sec.

Animation:
The Rocky Mountains fade into the scene through the build up of a series of consecutive frames.

Sequence:

• Hammer Down
• Across America
• Openroadjourney.com

Placement:

MotorcycleForum.com

The largest online motorcycle forum.

Dimensions:

Large Leaderboard Web Banner

728px by 210px

Motorcycle Subculture Billboard & Web Banner Final Crit

Updated Design

Message:

OpenRoadJourney.com will provide you with the means to get out there on the road to  see America. If you document your trip and submit it to the site they will pay you for your adventure. 

Rider Lingo:

Hammer Down -

“Full throttle all the way”

Values:

• Patriotism - America

• Independence - Getting out of the city

• Socializing - Sharing great roads with other bikers.

Goals:

• Financing - Keep taking trips.

• Financing - Bike customizing.

Visual Approach:

• Image of the Rocky Mountains an American landmark that I took myself on a road trip. 

• Dusty / Treated image to reflect the motorcycle vintage & historical roots. Especially regarding cross country trips. Easy Rider

• Rain drops & Reflective Flare helps create the feeling of one being behind the wind screen or looking through a helmet.

The bike is not in the image because the coded language of Hammer Down speaks to the bikers without giving away the message to those who are not part of the motorcycle sub-culture. 

End of Animated .gif Banner AD Design.

Web Banner in context on Motorcycleforum.com

Placement:

MotorcycleForum.com

Dimensions:

Large Leaderboard 728 x 210

Animation:

An image of the Rocky Mountains fade into the scene through three separate frames.

Steps:

“Hammer Down”, “Across America”, Openroadjourney.com, Hammer click pointer 

Billboard in context off of the highway. 

Placement:

Inner city, primarily major cities, inner & outer corridors. Traffic congestion enforces the message. 

Dimensions:

Large Leaderboard 48ft x 14ft

Imagery:

Static image of the Rocky Mountains. 

Motorcycle Banner Ad & Billboard process

Web Banner. 

Images I am working with that I shot myself during a trip to Colorado. I will be using one of these to replace the image that I had been using that wasn't mine. 

Banner in context on the website. 

Billboard in context

Billboard in the city setting that I envisioned. 

Motorcycle Tailored Ad Notes

Moving forward I will be:

Look at the values again. 

Read the verbal audit again. 

Storyboard.

Make quick iterations. 

Visual:

Showing no bike is more powerful.

Treated image is working well on (Page 2, #4)

Copy:

To better tailor the text I need to find a balance between Lingo "scoot" + Value "Independence" 

Chrome and Freedom - Chome is a goal. 

Born to live, live to ride - Ride is a good value.

Still not tailored enough. 

How can motorcyclists get it since the bike is removed?

Channels:

(1)Web Banner:

Animated .gif (5sec?)

Placement: Motorcycleforum.com

Two banners running at the same time?

Take advantage of time!

(2)Billboard:

Adjustments to the billboard as opposed to the web banner: Larger type (message + address)

Placement: In the city. 

Motorcycle First Three Concepts

Billboards to inspire and inform riders to get paid to ride through openroadjourney.com:

Insert into a parts box about where to find a riding club:

Web Banner for an App that warned you about bad weather.

Motorcycle Tailored Communication Moving Forward

Moving Forward with my tailored advertising I have selected to work with: 

Saftey, Customization/Gear Head/DIY, Independence, and Money/Socializing.

Why: Safety (Object)
What: Motorcycle Weather App. (Product)
Who: Kickstand Tech LLC. (Private)
How: The Motorcycle Weather App is an easy to use application to check when its safe to ride your motorcycle at the touch of a finger.
Where: Motorcycle Forum.com web banner. (240x400px Fat Skyscraper Size)

Why: Customization / Gear Head / DIY (Behavior)
What: Motorcycle forum that offers advice, news, and DIY information for all kinds of riders. (Service)
Who: MotorcycleForum.com (Private)
How: MotorcycleForum.com is the worlds largest community of motorcycle enthusiasts (who share advice, DIY information, and news)
Where: Point of sale advert. (8.5x11in standing ad)

Why: Independence (Characteristic)

What: Motorcycle Riding Clubs. Net provides a connection for riders to find local family friendly riding clubs in their area. (Service)
Who: Motorcycle Riding Clubs. Net (Private)
How: Motorcycle Riding Clubs solves the issues of trying to find a local family friendly riding club in your area.
Where: J&P Cycles.com in box postcard. (6x4.25in)

Why: Money / Socializing (Characteristic)

What: Open Road Journey.com provides you with a way to ride by yourself or with others on your favorite roads and get paid for it by documenting (Service)
Who: Open Road Journey.com  (Private)
How: Get paid to ride with you and your friends to ride the greatest roads in America.
Where: Billboard. (48x14ft)(in)

Why: Object, Characteristic, Values

What: Product, Service, Cause (Item/object) 

Who: (Who is selling the item) (sponsor)

How: (Why + Why) (Slogan)

Where: (Location)

Motorcycle Sub-Culture Chart

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.

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.

Urban Chicken Farmers - Task Analysis - Plan

This is what we will each be focusing on.

Eli - Making Urban Chicken Farms Legal

Jessica - Est. Local Community

Jessie - Ethical Animal Practices

Final Personas