Digital Experiments
This assignment is designed to develop basic digital prototyping competencies expected of a second-year design student. Exercises within this assignment focus on your ability to strategically learn, organise, iterate and prioritise sub-tasks within each brief. Fundamentally, students will gain insight into their personal learning and working style for future exercises and collaborations.
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The assignment comprised of 4 Tasks...
Task 1. Design Sprint Planning
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This is the link to my design sprints Miro Board that I completed the assignment on, using the template given in class.
This was my first design sprint undertaking for the year, for my second year of university. This was probably the most difficult of all the sprints because I learnt so much that I then took forward going into the next sprints. I never fully came to grasps with how important it is to receive feedback from the people around you constantly in order to develop your design to the best possible potential. I learnt that the feedback process is lengthy, but is important to prioritise and therefore ensure that enough time is left to do this process thoroughly.
I found sprint 2 was the hardest to complete. This was because of the difficult wording of the brief and comprehending all the complex elements that were required. For instance, it was a 3D modelling exercise but it was about the poster outcome at the end, which I think doing the process of the design sprint helped me to understand further. This helped me to ensure that I stayed on track the entire time. Design sprint 2 was interesting because we were not set a user group therefore coming up with some of the brief was on the me the designer.
Sprint 3 I found the most fun, because it was the most freedom one of all the briefs and meant that I was really left to my own devices to decide what my final prototype was going to be, which was really fun and gave me the opportunity to understand the brief, how I wanted to understand it. I feel like this particular design sprint helped me develop my rapid prototyping skills as a designer as we were under an extreme time pressure, that meant that I really had to move past the idea of perfection and the idea of producing something with the tools I have and the time I’m given.
Task 2. UX/UI Exercise
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This is the link to my app prototype which was created on Figma.
https://www.figma.com/file/MxYjf2I6Ty04JWqCODlYGv/Zoo-Express?node-id=0%3A1
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Zoo Express
I was focused on re-imagining the UX/UI of Auckland Transport’s mobile app for a 6-year-old version of myself. In doing this I focused on the idea of making catching public transport more of a fun and enjoyable experience for kids. I want young kids to be excited to catch the bus, which will evidentially help with reducing traffic congestion around the CBD. Zoo Express also provides an educational experience for children as well as a AR element. Designing this app I resonated with lots of elements that I enjoyed as a kid, such as customising names and collecting animals.
Task 3. 3D Modeling Exercise
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The Mushroom model was made on Rhino 7, the poster was put together on Adobe Photoshop.
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I was focused on 3D modelling and rendering my favourite childhood toy, which I decided to do the Smurf Village Mushroom House. The Smurfs were my favourite collectible items growing up and I still have many of them which is why I chosen to focus on this particular toy. I also like the idea that they have been around for generations and haven’t changed the way they are as a toy, which I think shows the longevity of the product, as many of the Smurfs I have been passed on from my mum. The power design I based around the rule of thirds and added the gradient background to emphasise this.
Task 4. Virtual Environments Exercise
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This is the link to my Mozilla Hubs, where I created my Virtual Environment
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Disney Dreamworld
I focused on creating and reimagining my favourite childhood space in VR using Mozilla Hubs. Disney Dreamworld focuses on the feeling I get when I think of visiting Disneyland as a young kid. The magic that is connected to that place is overwhelming and I wanted to create a space that captured that magic. I decided on the acoustics audio of “Part of your world” from Disney’s Little Mermaid to create further magical atmosphere. The colours are what makes it feel light and fluffy and reminds of the distinct warmth and happiness of Disneyland.