Mod 9: Major Project / Thesis Materials

Youhui Gu
Apr 16, 2023
3 min read

Based on instructor feedback, continue to refine Deliverable 1, 2, or 4 and make any refinements to the visual design of Deliverable 3 as suggested by instructor.

Updated Materials Matrix:

Deliverable 4:

Motion Graphic Ads

I tried a white font in the first ad, and kept the color in the other three for easy color comparisons.

Deliverable 4:

Posters

Concept 1:

Concept 2:

App Prototype

Click image to view

User Testing:

Tester 1:

Ming, 04/01/2023 19:00 pm

Ming graduated a year ago and is an engineer in a technology company. He currently has a stable job, so he plans to have a pet.

Task 1: Users complete the pet matching survey, get a list of matching pets, and follow the steps to find a breeder.

∙ The tester can successfully complete each step and click the button of each page correctly.

∙ Tester can be directed from the match results to the breeder page via a button.

Task 2: The tester reads an article in the learning function.

∙ Testers can successfully enter the article page.

∙ The tester can successfully complete each step and click the button of each page correctly.

Task 3: Testers get in touch with an expert online in the "Ask Online" page.

∙ Testers can choose an expert and enter the online chat page.

∙ After clicking the text message icon on the "Ask Online" home page, the tester entered the chat interface directly. If the user is connected to multiple experts, it makes more sense to go to the contact list first.

Overall

∙ The title of each page is visually like a button, which the tester will think is clickable.

∙ The title area is too big.

∙ Including a picture of the pet breed on the "How to care" page of the pet matching test results can help users remember which breed they are currently viewing, thereby preventing any confusion or forgetfulness.

Tester 2:

Lexi, 04/15/2023 20:30 pm

Lexi has a ragdoll cat and is an experienced pet owner. She regularly follows pet-related information on social media and apps, such as pet knowledge and pet supplies.

Task 1: Users complete the pet matching survey, get a list of matching pets, and follow the steps to find a breeder.

∙ The tester can successfully complete each step and click the button of each page correctly.

∙ Tester can be directed from the match results to the breeder page via a button.

∙ Tester had hesitations about the pet's barking and size.

Task 2: The tester reads an article in the learning function.

∙ Testers can successfully enter the article page.

∙ The tester can successfully complete each step and click the button of each page correctly.

Task 3:Testers get in touch with an expert online in the "Ask Online" page.

∙ Testers can choose an expert and enter the online chat page.

Overall

∙ The title of each page is visually like a button.

∙ She would like to have icons, illustrations or pictures in the pet size question to show the differences in pet sizes.

∙ Body text fonts can be larger.

∙ In the appointment interface of "Ask Online", users are easily confused about the type of "Meeting appointment".

Task 2: The tester reads an article in the learning function.

∙ Testers can successfully enter the article page.

∙ The tester can successfully complete each step and click the button of each page correctly.

Tester 3:

Yao, 04/15/2023 20:50 pm

Yao has raised a Shiba Inu for less than a year. As a novice pet owner, he often asks his friends for help on how to raise pets properly.

Task 1: Users complete the pet matching survey, get a list of matching pets, and follow the steps to find a breeder.

∙ The tester can successfully complete each step and click the button of each page correctly.

∙ Tester can be directed from the match results to the breeder page via a button.

Task 3:Testers get in touch with an expert online in the "Ask Online" page.∙ Testers can choose an expert and enter the online chat page.

Overall

∙ In the page of pet test results, the font size of the breed characteristic keyword is too small.

∙ He would like the functional buttons at the top of the page can be hoverable.

Reflection

Describe your design process with the second deliverable.

Regarding my second deliverable, which involves creating an series ad, I started by employing divergent thinking. I sought inspiration from various digital advertising sources and used them to discover different elements that could be incorporated into a social media ad. I then created eighteen rough sketches, each comprising four ad images. After that, I shortlisted three most promising ideas and worked on refining them further. In the next step, I converted these refined sketches into digital sketches and made several iterations based on the feedback received.

During the process of refining the motion graphic ads, I realized that the addition of a series of posters would enhance the brand's marketing strategy and make it more diversified and comprehensive. So, this week, I developed two poster concepts in different directions.

Give us an update on your user testing.

Last week I tested a prototype of the app with one tester, and this week I tested it with the remaining two testers. I summarized the test results through recorded video and field notes.

How do you currently promote yourself as a designer?

Currently, I have created a portfolio website for myself to showcase my background and all my work.

How are you sharing your thesis with the world?

Behance is an excellent platform for designers to showcase their work, and I believe it would be an ideal place to share my thesis. Additionally, since my project involves social media advertising, I plan to target Instagram as my primary platform. Once the deliverable is completed, I intend to promote the work on social media.

How do you think you can draw more social media traffic and attention to your work?

I think it is necessary for a future designer to create a portfolio website that is open to everyone. Because the website can be published on any platform, it can guarantee that anyone who is interested in my work can enter my website and learn more about me.

Describe the most useful and interesting things you have learned this module.

This week I started experimenting with designing posters. I am convinced that this is a wise decision, as it allows me to gain a comprehensive understanding of project promotion and marketing. Initially, my advertising efforts were centered on social media platforms, given their prominence in today's digital age. However, as I continued to learn, I realized that traditional marketing methods could also be advantageous in promoting brands and projects.

Previous Outcomes

DS Chart