Week 11

Reading Reflection

I always get confused by all the different job titles like UX, UI, and Information Architecture, so the Venn diagram in this chapter was actually super helpful to see how they all overlap. I also liked the point about 'services' being part of interaction design; I usually just think of apps or websites, but it makes sense that a coffee shop experience or a subway ride is also a designed interaction. It was interesting to read about the 'technology-centered view' versus the 'social view'—it helps explain why some apps feel so robotic while others feel like they actually connect you to people.

Houde & Hill, What do Prototypes Prototype?

The pizza box example in this reading was honestly a lightbulb moment for me; I always thought a prototype had to be a working piece of tech, but using a box just to test the 'role' and physical weight is so smart and saves so much time. The triangle model relieves a lot of pressure because it gives us permission to ignore 'implementation' or 'look and feel' if we are just trying to figure out if the user even needs the product in the first place. I also appreciated the 'GloBall' example—using a walkie-talkie to simulate a talking toy is such a clever 'Wizard of Oz' trick to get feedback without writing complex code.

Final Project - Prototype

For the final project, our initial group separated, and Sid and I decided to start with another project. After discussing, we decided to do a project about redesigning the IDM floor to make it a better space for people to focus and work.

We started by doing the research we were missing for a new project, and we did a survey on what aspects help or distract people from staying focused while studying, which got around 15-20 responses. We also did some secondary research on the reasons why students should study on campus instead of at home, the definition of an Informal Learning Space and ways to design it, and psychological theories of ways to help people stay focused. We also did some industry research on similar working spaces on the other floors of 370 Jay St and other buildings of NYU.

Reading Reflection

Final Project - Prototype

Week 12

Week 10