Studio
Exploring the Future of Communication
Summary
Studio is a communication and collaboration platform that targets the technological needs and wants of Millennials.
Client
Microsoft
Duration
8 months
Personal Contributions
Contextual Inquiry
Directed Storytelling
Work Modeling
Visioning
Wireframing
Interaction Design
HTML/Javascript & iPhone Prototypes
Usability Testing
Artifacts
Details
During an eight-month partnership with Microsoft, we researched, designed and developed a communications platform targeted to meet the needs of college-aged Millennials.
To gather relevant research data, we interviewed 30 research participants using methods such as directed storytelling and contextual inquiry. Work models, including cultural and flow, were created based on these interviews in order to identify the tasks, wants, needs and influences affecting the participants.
Once the work models had been consolidated and analyzed, we envisioned solutions that leveraged the breakdowns and opportunities we had identified. By developing scenarios and storyboards around these concepts, we were able to determine the feasibility and usefulness of each solution.
To meet the needs of Millennials, we designed, wireframed and prototyped interfaces and interactions on three different platforms: web, mobile and desktop. By rigorously testing our prototypes, we were able to improve the usability of our designs.
HERB (Home Exploring Robotic Butler)
Interacting with a Robotic Butler
Summary
A device and interface, cultivated through research and testing, that will allow elderly users to interact with a live-in robotic butler.
Client
Intel
Duration
3 months
Personal Contributions
Contextual Inquiry
Directed Storytelling
Work Modeling
Visioning
Paper Prototyping
Interaction Design
Usability Testing
Artifacts
Details
In association with Intel, we spent a semester researching and designing an interface that would allow elderly people to control HERB easily and efficiently. The goal of the HERB project is to provide in-home assistance to the elderly, thus prolonging their ability to live independently in their homes.
Not only did we delve into understanding the capabilities of HERB, but we also interviewed and observed elderly people in assisted living facilities and at home to understand their needs and abilities. Based on our research, we paper prototyped multiple form factors and interfaces to determine which would be most suitable.
CloudNote
Synchronized, Collaborative Notes
Summary
CloudNote is a synchronized notes platform that enables collaboration and sharing.
Duration
Ongoing
3 months for initial App Store release
Personal Contributions
Interaction Design
iPhone/iPad Development
Artifacts
View in App Store Project Website
Details
Comprising a native iPhone app, OSX Widget and web interface, CloudNote allows users to access their notes across multiple devices and share them with their friends. To provide a familiar user experience, the iPhone interface implements Springboard-like interactions such as drag-and-drop to re-arrange notes.
Time To Go
A Google Calender & Transit Mashup
Summary
TimeToGo combines Google Calendar and Google Transit data to facilitate their combined use by individuals with moderate to heavy ad hoc scheduling and commuting requirements.
Duration
2 months
Personal Contributions
Interaction Design
Wireframing
Android Development
Artifacts
Flight Sage
Visualizing Flight Prices
Summary
Flight Sage aggregates flight price data from Kayak.com and visualizes the cheapest flights from a given destination for the upcoming weekend.
Duration
2 weeks
Personal Contributions
Interaction Design
HTML5/Javascript Development using canvas element
Ruby Development using Kayak.com's API
Bank of Tomorrow
Money Management for Kids
Summary
The Bank of Tomorrow is an interactive website that allows children to manage their money.
Duration
3 weeks
Personal Contributions
User Research
Visioning
Web Design and Development
Interaction Design
Artifacts
Breakout
An Arcade Classic in 64 Pixels
Summary
A recreation of the arcade classic on an 8x8 LED matrix controlled using a potentiometer.
Duration
1 month
Personal Contributions
Hardware Engineering
Interaction Design
Arduino (Wiring) Development
Touch Remote
Prototyping a Dynamic TV Remote Control
Summary
The Touch Remote prototype provides seamless control over both the television and cable box while allowing for easy navigation to specific channels.
Duration
1 month
Personal Contributions
Hardware Engineering
Interaction Design
Arduino (Wiring) Development
Details
Built using a 4-pin resistive touchscreen and an IR LED, the prototype is currently housed in a cardboard and foam core shell. Future plans include replacing the current paper menu with an LCD screen displaying a dynamic menu and adding a training mode to program buttons.
Lightning
Procedurally Generated Lightning
Summary
An implementation of Reed and Wyvill's lightning generation algorithm in an attempt to create a realistic rendering of the phenomenon.
Duration
2 weeks
Personal Contributions
Design
Processing Development