Wayfinding Concepting - Week 1

Group project post on behalf of myself and Ashley Einspahr.

Our concept revolves around a consitered but simple approach. KCAI has been described as "Energetic", "Active", and full of "Artistic Spirit". We wanted to capture the energy and activity that KCAI embodies in their brand by reflecting it in dynamically shaped signage. To capture that artistic spirit, each sign itself is unique in its shape like students and faculty at KCAI.

We've careful considered the placement of our signage based on the reading on programing, thinking about the viewers line of movement and sight, directional signs and decision points, and identification signs to confirm arrival. 

In terms of color as you will see below we have experimented with using full-color, bold signage and complimentary, subtle colored signage. 

Outdoor wayfinding signage near Vanderslice.

This sign would welcome first time visitors, direct, and inform them. 

Indoor wayfinding signage inside Irving.

Entrance signage.

Building identification signage.

Career Goals & Strategy

Career Goals:

Through my time at KCAI and my own personal experience freelancing as a Graphic Designer and Illustrator I have come to realize many things. I think the biggest one of these is the fact that I want to pursue a career as a interactive designer. I would like to primarily take over the role of preferably User Experience Designer or if necessary Visual Designer. I have discovered a strong passion designing for the screen. Be it iPhone, iPad, Web, etc. I believe that mobile is the future and at this point in time we are still able to transition from students to professions at an incredible time when there are no real masters of the craft and there is still room to make a big impact if you're willing to take the risk. I'm hopelessly addicted to technology from wireframing to implementation. 

Strategy: 

I will have interned at four locations: Design Ranch, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Fine Art, Mutual Mobile, and Propaganda3 by the time I graduate. Two of which I greatly hope will give me offers post graduation. I am currently in contact with my last internship location at Mutual Mobile in Austin, Texas which I really enjoyed is currently rolling out the Directory app I created and designed. I am also in contact with several employees of Huge Inc. in NYC. I have just applied for the Huge UX, and VD School that I hope I will be accepted to. If that two month crash course program goes well I will have a shot at transitioning into a full time employee. I also plan on applying to a hand full of other locations around the country. I am not against staying in KC if the job is right, but my adventurous side is calling me to move on to the next place. 

I would be happy to accept the role of Associate Visual Designer, more preferably Associate User Experience Designer. I would be willing to cut my teeth as a production artist if need be because I want to work my way up through a good company. If I start at entry level, I would like to transition from Associate Designer to designer in 1 year. I would like to jump from Designer to Senior Designer in another two-three years. The firms i'm looking at and talking with are growing fast enough that I believe that this would still be possible. 

Degree Project - Week 1

Key Articles Found: http://www.teehanlax.com/blog/going-down-the-right-path/

What is the problem:

There are so many social networks and supporting apps to keep track of these days it becomes difficult for people to keep tabs on the content and people they care the most about. 

What are the solutions (ie. explorations, ideas, experiments, speculations):

My solution: Is to create a supporting application that will automatically curate and organize  multiple mobile social networking experiences into one a single better user experience. *Ideally this would be accomplished in the background, but if needed fully editable by the user. 

"Something that can do its own thing in the background is great" - connecting the film

This can be accomplished through:

• Algorithm - ie. Facebook - Edge Rank, Google - Pagerank
• User Control - In app customizing. ie. selecting people within those networks and turning off and on what sites you want to see their work from. ie. Parent, wants to see their child's social networking activity more so than that of a friend they just talk to once and a while. Also the idea of grouping. ie. family members, etc. 
• User Centric Design - Focus on the wants and needs of the users based on my research. 
• Smart Design - How? Figure it out Eli. 

Research Moving Forward - (testing the validity of my RESEARCH assumptions): AKA bust out the sticky notes!

Dropmark Inspiration Folder

• Personally survey how many networks am I on? Where am I overwhelmed? What content matters most to me? What would I do differently?
• Creating a survey to pinpoint what content matters most to the social networking user. 
• Survey the usual paths/features that the social media app user uses daily?
• How would they group their friends together?
• How would they group their social networks together?
• What kind of options would they like to see? 
• What kind of options would they assume would be there? - Blind questions / Stickies game! - Focus on this later on. 
• Technological Audit of existing algorithms - how do they function and determine the order of importance of user information. 
• Technological Audit of social networks with apps that carry across multiple platforms. Is Windows 8 practical? If vector based, responsive design it should carry over. 
• Technological Audit of future technology that could be used by social networks. ie. seniors, connecting house hold devices, augmented reality, 

Personal Project Goals/Questions: 

• Future Proofing -  How can this still function 5-10 years from now?
• Ambition - Is this ambitious enough? What am I offering thats going to break the mold?
• Innovative - How can I create an innovative new experience? Is this through the concept? Through a new UX experience?

Design Concepts - (testing the validity of my DESIGN assumptions): 

• Responsive Design - Would allow for use across multiple platforms. ie. iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone, etc.
• Vector Design Standards - Moving into 2013, ideally dropping skuemorphic design would allow for a more neutral non-iOS centric style. 

Meeting Notes 1/30: 

Currently Active Survey

Audience Needs / Motivation / User Types

Create a meaningful description of my audience. 

Find different kinds of people.

When do they need certain kinds of content?

Pick some users!

Create a bad ass survey!

Don't hey bogged down on little details!

This is all prospective tech! SPECULATE!

Process Book Layout

My degree project is focused on people and how they can benefit from a well managed mobile social experience that functions behind the scenes. This of course can still be edited at any time by the individual. 

I'm looking forward to intensive research and wireframing sessions which is why my book has additional pages dedicated to those sections. 

Please keep in mind the folio is as such because I will be turning this into an interactive iBook to display in the future using an iPad. 

* This is a work in progress. 

* It will be awesome because it has to be. 

Degree Project Progress Book by Eli Brumbaugh

Degree Project Question

Project Code Name: Social Media Aggregator

What I Want it to Do:

Digest and break up the social media user's various apps / networks into an organized and curated experience. I want it to possibly use an algorithm like Google Search "Knowledge Engine" results or the Facebook "EdgeRank" algorithm to determine what content should be displayed. I want the user to be able to see these information once it has been gathered. The use should then be able to verify (accept) or correct the percentage in which each network is displayed. Perhaps in the form of a slider bar. I want it to be responsive, and work across smartphone, tablet, and desktop (in the form of a Windows 8 app). I want it to be capable of surviving rising and falling social networks as they come and go. Future proof. 5-10 years from now will this still be able to function? I want the user to be capable of organizing the content into group's like Marty has suggested (ie Moms, Friends, Design Students). 

Old Question: 

"How can an iPhone application allow the 18 to 34 year old social media app user to curate their mobile experience by selecting and combining only the content that matters most to them and their lives from people they care the most about into one application."

New Question:

"How can an app allow the social media app user to curate and organize their mobile experience through an intelligent algorithm paired with a user controlled adjustment system in which the user can highlight and combine only the content that matters most to them and their lives from people they care the most about into a single application?"

Next Step:

Auditing my classmates and other social media users usage, concerns, and desires. 

ie. problems, potential solutions: explorations/ideas/experiences/speculations. 

Massive Note to Self:

"This is an important time in which I can really push conventions. This is the time to explore and imagine how this could function in 5-10 years from now. Do NOT get bogged down by audience issues."

Previous Presentation: 

Eli Brumbaugh Degree Project / Senior Presentation by Eli Brumbaugh

FInal MOTI - Video + Screens

This is a post on behalf of Michael Armstrong and myself for our Senior level Multi-Media Experience Class project entitled MOTI at the Kansas City Art Institute in the Fall of 2012. 

Below you will find our video and screens in order and grouped by scenario for easy viewing. 

Thank you for your valuable time and feedback on our project!

- Eli / Michael

---------------- project begins here ----------------

"MOTI is a tailored and innovative new way for students, teachers, and parents to connect and learn together."

---------------- scenarios began here ----------------

Scenario 1 - Student iPad

Kevin views the home screen in which he can see his personal stats, notifications, and inbox.  

The slide out navigation reveals the daily course work that has been tailored and assigned to Kevin.

Kevin selects the "Course Work" option to view the work assigned to him for today. 

 "Earth Science" is highlighted that it is the subject that he will be working with.

Kevin selects "Earth Science"

 Inside of the "Earth Science" section he can see that the highlighted "World Explorer"is the unit that has been assigned for today. 

Kevin then before taking the "World Explorer" unit checks his stats for this particular class seeing that if he score high enough he will unlock a new award. 

He then closes the "Stats" window 

And then selects the "World Explorer" unit. 

Inside the "World Explorer" unit Kevin reads about the mission he is about to embark on. He then reads the directions about how he will interact with this particular unit as a physical learner. 

Kevin then taps "Start" to began the "World Explorer" unit in which he matches the Earth's Crust to its assigned landing pad as described in the screen prior. 

---------------- break between scenarios ----------------

Scenario 2 - Teacher iPhone

Kevin's Teacher Gloria opens up her MOTI iPhone App to check on how her students are doing with the most recent assigned unit. 

She then taps "Award System"

On the "Award System" Screen she can see that Kevin Smith has an award notification which has been generated by his most recent success with the "World Explorer" unit. 

She taps Kevin's name.

She is now viewing Kevin's "Award Center Profile" where she has the option of rewarding him with a new award, or viewing his previous awards. 

Gloria then taps the "Add" icon

On the "Add Award" screen Gloria searchers for the "Explorer Award".

The science tab is brought containing the "Explorer Award" with a short description of itself. 

She then selects the "Explorer Award"

A preview is created showing her what Kevin will see the next time he opens his iPad.

Gloria then hits Submit. 

---------------- break between scenarios ----------------

Scenario 3 - Parent Hub

Kevin's Mom, Kate while at work takes a moment to log into the MOTI Hub to see how Kevin has been doing. She discovers that there is a new notification. 

She then selects the "Notification" to view her son Kevin's profile.

"Awards & Demerits" is being called out by the # of new items. 

She clicks on "Awards & Demerits". 

The "Explorer Award" is displayed along side a short message from Gloria Kevin's teacher about the award and how it relates to Kevin's learning style.

Beneath this message is a text box encouraging Kate to write kevin a short message of congratulations. 

Kate clicks the "Flip" button to correspond and reply to Gloria. 

Kate who is interested in learning more about Kevin's learning style clicks on the "Learning Style" option in the primary navigation. 

---------------- break between scenarios ----------------

Scenario 4 - Parent Hub

Kate selects the "Physical Learning Style" to read more about Kevin's particular style. 

- scrolling down -

Here she can view a short video and read a description of the "Physical Learner".

 

- scrolling down -

Below that is a "Learning Style Overview" where Kevin's Primary Learning Style is shown along side the others that he tested weaker for.  

Kate then selects the "Course Style" option from the nav bar. 

- scrolling down -

Here Kate is able to read about how MOTI is changing the way kids like Kevin learn in the classroom. 

- scrolling down -

Kate finishes reading the article. 

---------------- break between scenarios ----------------

Scenario 5 - Student iPad

Kevin logs back into his iPad at a later date and see's much to his excitement that he has been awarded the "Explorer Award". 

He then taps "Continue"

---------------- break between scenarios ----------------

Scenario 6 - Student ID Card

Kevin now at home with his Brother Shane pulls out his ID card. He see's that his ID still has "New Award Notification".

Kevin rotates his ID badge to revel the "Award Screen" in which his most recent award the "Explorer Award" is displayed for him to share with his Brother. 

Thank you. 

- Eli / Michael

Solutions Brand Book - Issuu Edition

Open publication - Free publishing - More branding

Rosedale Identity & Communication Final

This is a two-part initiative to unite the citizens of Rosedale under a single visual identity that they can take pride in and that can represent them positively to the outside community, all while helping to facilitate communication between the neighborhood's many organizations & resources and the community members that they serve. This is divided into 6 components: a new identity system, environmental implementations, supporting materials, a promotional video, a kit of parts for branding further video productions, and a Rosedale guide booklet of resources and directories.

Final Presentation





Super group members include abby carr, jessi wilson, ashley einspahr, michael armstrong, eli brumbaugh and collin raush.

Rosedale Volunteer Reflection

For my volunteering experience I decided to assist the RDA with their Healthy Halloween event. I like many of my comrades in arms where assigned to a particular booth if you will at the event. I was paired up with Michael Armstrong who was also working the mask making booth for the kids. We had to make these masks out of paper plates which really turned into how fast can we cut holes into paper plates and get these things tied off and back to the kids waiting in line acting like their ADHD personified (kidding). Collin made Batman and I basically gave up on trying to make anything else as awesome. It was a really good experience seeing the amount of kids who came out to participate with their parents and just have a good time. There wasn't anything shady in the least about Rosedale and the people their exploring and enjoying themselves saw that and knew what kind of community they were involved in. It was helpful for our super group project because it gave us some ideas of places where the booklets could go out to the public. It also reenforced our concern of a language break down because the amount of people who spoke different languages. All in all it was a good experience that I would totally participate in again sometime. 

Moti Designed Screens

Modi