Theme: "Concept Refinement"
Introduction
This week focused on concept development and concept refinement to provide groups with a clear direction for the final presentation. The main aspects which were discussed in the lecture included object, behaviour and scenario. In particular, the scenario was outlined in further detail to highlight its importance and value to the project. In addition, the lecturer and tutors organised a meeting to offer feedback to each group to improve our initial concepts and help establish a clear design direction.
Tutorial Session
In this week's tutorial our group had a meeting with the lecturer and tutors to discuss our project idea to gain concept approval. Prior to starting the meeting, our team was stumped for ideas and ways of approaching this project. The main reason why our team was confused was due to a lack of understanding as to how to address natural human gestures and behaviours. Furthermore, our original scenario was also poor due to the fact that it lacked characters, personas, a plot and a convincing story line. Therefore, the team found it relatively difficult to progress in the project.
After the discussion the teaching staff concluded that our group's concept was difficult to understand in regards to its functionality and overall usability in an office environment. They went on to state that they were unsure as to how to operate the device and whether or not the product could actually be beneficial and effective in the proposed scenario. I personally agree with the teaching staff's comments about the product's high level of ambiguity. But in order to achieve minimal ambiguity the tutors believed we needed to make the product more specific through scoping and convergent design thinking. This process will reveal the product's purpose and exact functionality.
There were many significant points discussed in the organised group meeting, however, I decided to take down my own notes so I could reefer to them later on. The following notes are key words and phrases taken from the meeting; task delegation system, monitoring staff members/employees when they are working and on breaks, system of values and what the user takes priority in their life, look into a reward system or an in-house competition between employees to help make the office environment more fun, interactive and engaging, a reward system provides people with a sense of achievement and success which they are able to value, focus on a particular element of the scenario which can be capitalized by our product, help improve the user's experience, focus on natural behaviours and gestures to strengthen the project and gestures do not have to be taken so literally they can be simple movements which convey a specific meaning.
The most important aspect which I took from the meeting was making sure the product suits the scenario and the particular process that the user will go through. There is also a need to maintain an appropriate level of gestures and not to overload the product with numerous interactive mechanisms. More importantly, the product needs to be intuitive in order for the users to understand how it works and how to use it properly.
As a result, our main goals for the lesson was to make the product more specific to the scenario and making sure it suits a user's natural behaviours and gestures in a way which enhances their experience. The team started to brainstorm some new applications, scenarios and human gestures to further develop the product.
New Concepts
The team began conceptualizing new ideas and new concepts. Our group generated to new concepts which met more specific needs and served a greater purpose.
The first concept centered around the idea of proximity and privacy in the work environment. The scenario involves the relationship between a boss and their employees. Usually, employees are constantly searching for feedback and acknowledgement from their boss to make sure they are completing certain tasks accurately and performing a high level of work. This interaction with a boss and their employees can be disruptive in a closed worked environment and could also be considered unprofessional or inconsiderate for the customers or other people in the environment. Our idea for this scenario is be a private communication device that allows employees to alert their boss or manager that they have successfully completed a task.
The second concept is a wearable computing device for qualified 'handymen' and contract workers. The device works by monitoring the user's heart beat and blood pressure while keep record of the ambient temperature and weather conditions. The product is essentially a data collecting device that is able to communicate with a site manager or supervisor to allow them to effectively manage their employees and provide good quality working conditions. Once work conditions become too dangerous the appropriate supervisor will be immediately notified where they are able to make the decision to contact the employee and arrange for them to move site or stop work. This process allows for construction companies or contract firms to provide their clients will high quality employees who are able to work to their full potential.
Tutorial Session
In this week's tutorial our group had a meeting with the lecturer and tutors to discuss our project idea to gain concept approval. Prior to starting the meeting, our team was stumped for ideas and ways of approaching this project. The main reason why our team was confused was due to a lack of understanding as to how to address natural human gestures and behaviours. Furthermore, our original scenario was also poor due to the fact that it lacked characters, personas, a plot and a convincing story line. Therefore, the team found it relatively difficult to progress in the project.
After the discussion the teaching staff concluded that our group's concept was difficult to understand in regards to its functionality and overall usability in an office environment. They went on to state that they were unsure as to how to operate the device and whether or not the product could actually be beneficial and effective in the proposed scenario. I personally agree with the teaching staff's comments about the product's high level of ambiguity. But in order to achieve minimal ambiguity the tutors believed we needed to make the product more specific through scoping and convergent design thinking. This process will reveal the product's purpose and exact functionality.
There were many significant points discussed in the organised group meeting, however, I decided to take down my own notes so I could reefer to them later on. The following notes are key words and phrases taken from the meeting; task delegation system, monitoring staff members/employees when they are working and on breaks, system of values and what the user takes priority in their life, look into a reward system or an in-house competition between employees to help make the office environment more fun, interactive and engaging, a reward system provides people with a sense of achievement and success which they are able to value, focus on a particular element of the scenario which can be capitalized by our product, help improve the user's experience, focus on natural behaviours and gestures to strengthen the project and gestures do not have to be taken so literally they can be simple movements which convey a specific meaning.
The most important aspect which I took from the meeting was making sure the product suits the scenario and the particular process that the user will go through. There is also a need to maintain an appropriate level of gestures and not to overload the product with numerous interactive mechanisms. More importantly, the product needs to be intuitive in order for the users to understand how it works and how to use it properly.
As a result, our main goals for the lesson was to make the product more specific to the scenario and making sure it suits a user's natural behaviours and gestures in a way which enhances their experience. The team started to brainstorm some new applications, scenarios and human gestures to further develop the product.
New Concepts
The team began conceptualizing new ideas and new concepts. Our group generated to new concepts which met more specific needs and served a greater purpose.
The first concept centered around the idea of proximity and privacy in the work environment. The scenario involves the relationship between a boss and their employees. Usually, employees are constantly searching for feedback and acknowledgement from their boss to make sure they are completing certain tasks accurately and performing a high level of work. This interaction with a boss and their employees can be disruptive in a closed worked environment and could also be considered unprofessional or inconsiderate for the customers or other people in the environment. Our idea for this scenario is be a private communication device that allows employees to alert their boss or manager that they have successfully completed a task.
The second concept is a wearable computing device for qualified 'handymen' and contract workers. The device works by monitoring the user's heart beat and blood pressure while keep record of the ambient temperature and weather conditions. The product is essentially a data collecting device that is able to communicate with a site manager or supervisor to allow them to effectively manage their employees and provide good quality working conditions. Once work conditions become too dangerous the appropriate supervisor will be immediately notified where they are able to make the decision to contact the employee and arrange for them to move site or stop work. This process allows for construction companies or contract firms to provide their clients will high quality employees who are able to work to their full potential.
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