The Work

The following work showcases three UXD projects. Some of these involved a lot of research, some involved user testing, and prototypes. All of them involved critical, analytical, and creative thinking. And all used my skills in graphic design, illustration, and business writing.

Other work specific to graphic design, illustration, etc., can be found by clicking menu items above.

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Project #1 — Photo Study

Why do we take photos?

The following research was conducted over a seven week time period starting with selecting the research topic and creating a project plan.

The topic I chose to research and explore was “How do people currently share, curate, and access images and videos of important moments so that others can find and enjoy them in the coming months, years, etc.?”

To find the answer to this question, it quickly became apparent in my research, that an underlying question needed to be asked first — “Why do people take photos?” Answering this basic question would reveal the answer to the overarching research topic, which then exposed opportunities to help people with their new found problems of taking photos in a digital age.

Problem

How does one find a single photo when you’re dealing with thousands dumped into one bucket on your phone? Which photos do you keep? How do you share them? How do you keep them safe?

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Project #2 — Redesign Library Website

Skill Set — Information Architecture:
Content, Labeling & Taxonomy

For this project, a letter has been received from a library asking for help in having their website redesigned “from the ground up” with an emphasis on easy-to-access information and welcoming thematic elements.

I chose to research and redesign the Sharon Public Library (SPL) as my “project” library.

PHASE 1 — Proposal Submission and Acceptance

The first step was to draft and submit a project proposal which included describing the existing information architecture, and to provide a project plan and timeline. In researching the site, one of the first things that became apparent was that any redesign would have to factor in the current service providers which are integral to certain library offerings as the library is a part of a multi-function library network.

Goal

The goal of the site design / reorganization of information is to allow patrons to quickly and easily find the exact information / items for which they are searching.

Constraints

SPL will continue to use their current host provider and modifications to the site will need to be made in conjunction with that site’s developers.

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Project #3 — 10ft Interface

Controller Prototype | Large Screen Design: Designing Interaction for Across the Room Viewing

Designing the interaction between someone who is probably sitting in a darkened room and only interacting with a controller by touch requires some unique characteristics.

There is a balance between putting button options on a remote that will help the viewer who is watching a large screen 10 feet away, and needlessly complicating the remote so much that the user has no other option than turning on a light — just to see how to work the “thing” that’s supposed to be helping — actually works.

At this point, an absolute “Fail” occurs if someone has to actually try and find a manual.

True success in designing a controller is that it can be used without the aid of sight. This not only helps the user who is sitting in a darkened room, it is essential for those who have low or poor vision. Designing for accessibility helps all of us.

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