For your final graded assignment (there is no exam in this class!!!), you’ll be designing a “Arrange Your ______” app – This can arrange any aspect of a person’s life – arrange your friends, stuff, books, closet, phone, life, schedule, etc.* | OR !!! – Analyze an existing CREATIVE app (so NOT your basic Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, etc. Something unique and original).
(* Some students want the chance to be creative, that’s why we are giving two choices for the final. Even if you do create, you are not being graded on the actual design!)
As we did in class (in the last lesson), your first step would be to create a general UX background for your app. If you’re analyzing, you would try and figure out the UX background in the same manner:
What is the problem you’re trying to solve?
How would you research your project?
Who is your user or users (are there multiple audiences, such as children and their parents?)
and what might be your user persona?
If you create your own – Define a design brief, highlighting in words what the project is about and what is expected of the design, such as values and visual message. If you are analyzing – Try and figure out what was the brief that lead the design here.
If you create your own – Create a mood board, including color, textures, typography, type of images, etc. Also include some possible design elements, such as text samples, buttons, input fields, icons, etc. If you are analyzing – What are some of the key colors? What kind of vibe was the designer going for? How unique are the design or some of the elements?
If you create your own – Create a general composition for your app (at least 3 different screens, highlighting functionality). This is like wire framing, but from the UI designer perspective, based more on composition conventions and deals with hierarchy and functionality, less about the user experience. It would include place holders for the design elements, and not the actual design. If You are analyzing – Look at 3 different screens – How does the UI help the overall experience and ease of use? How does it direct the user through the app?
If you create your own – Design your app: Use the same screens you’ve structured + at least 3 different stages within these screens (showing ACTIVE use by STATIC design). The stages will show, for example, how menus roll over parts of your screen, or how a keyboard pulls up from the bottom. If you are analyzing – Highlight the movement elements of the design (screen shot at least 3 movements). How does it flow? How does the UI help with that?
In your design/analysis, implement/discuss as many of the design tools we’ve studies – Color, shape, depth, movement, typography, composition, images.
You may use any computer software for your design, or even create manually (but still using printed typography, cut and glued onto your work)
Upload a PDF file only (No MS Word or Pages files…).
You may work in teams, up to 3 members. Make sure you self-assigned into a group (even if it is a single’s group).
If you’re working in a team, only one member needs to upload the assignment.
As before, if you are designing, your design must be accompanied by a text, explaining EVERYTHING within your thought process and design choices. You don’t need to explain your technical process (how you used the software), only the design. And please rationalize your design, as you explain how it helps in delivering your message, not just because you like a certain color or shape. Every choice you make must have a reason, and you are mostly graded on this reasoning process. Your explanation helps us understand your way of thinking as well as your understanding of the class materials.
If you are analyzing – you also need to make sure you explain as much of the designed product and the design choices made.
Your explanation must be typed and not hand written. If your design is done manually, please scan it well and insert it in your final file.
Text should be 12pt, no more then 2 pages long (not incl. the images).
To sum it up:
1. UX background
2. Design brief
3. Mood board
4. General composition
5. Design + Stages
EXPLAIN EVERYTHING!!!
